PPA Atlanta Slam Day 2 Highlights: Another picturesque day in Atlanta marked Round of 32 action across all five pro events at the CIBC Atlanta Slam presented by Vizzy. Here’s a rundown of the key moments and takeaways from Wednesday’s play.
High Seeds Dominate
In a day dominated by top seeds, higher-ranked players won 90% of their matches, with one notable exception in men’s singles. This event proved to be unpredictable, as lower seeds claimed victory in half of the matches.
Among them, #50 Grayson Goldin, the lowest seed remaining, secured a spot in the Round of 16, where he will face #2 Ben Johns. Goldin’s presence in the next round highlights the unpredictability of men’s singles.
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Upset of the Day
The most significant upset came in women’s singles, where #41 Elina Geut narrowly defeated #9 Lacy Schneemann. The match was a rollercoaster, with scores of 13-11, 2-11, and 12-10. Geut advances to the Round of 16 and will face #5 Salome Devidze, promising another exciting clash.
Jack Sock’s Rough Day Continues
After a disappointing Round of 64 singles loss on Tuesday, Jack Sock’s struggles persisted on Wednesday. Sock, teaming up with Collin Shick, lost in the Round of 32 in men’s doubles. He also fell in mixed doubles with Jackie Kawamoto. Despite Sock’s reputation as one of the most entertaining players on tour, his results have been slipping.
Ironically, his men’s doubles loss was to #15 Travis Rettenmaier and fellow tennis pro convert Donald Young, who is finding increasing success on the PPA tour. This raises the question: could Young emerge as the more successful pickleball pro compared to Sock?
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Sweet 16 Showdowns
Thursday promises thrilling matchups in the Round of 16 across all events. Key matches to watch include:
- Men’s Doubles: #8 Christian Alshon and Riley Newman vs. #9 Tyler Loong and Connor Garnett. This rematch from last week’s Las Vegas semifinal is expected to be a high-caliber contest.
- Women’s Doubles: #2 Anna Bright and Rachel Rohrabacher against #16 Kate Fahey and Lina Padegimaite. Bright and Fahey, MLP teammates, will face off in a highly anticipated showdown.
- Mixed Doubles: #6 Tina Pisnik and Dekel Bar vs. #12 Meghan Dizon and Andrei Daescu. Both teams have the potential to reach the final, making this a crucial match.
- Women’s Singles: #7 Parris Todd will take on #11 Kate Fahey. Fahey, aiming for her third consecutive final, faces a formidable challenge.
- Men’s Singles: #2 Ben Johns will face #50 Grayson Goldin. Goldin’s powerful play could pose a serious challenge to Johns, making this a match to watch closely.
News in Brief: PPA Atlanta Slam Day 2 Highlights
On Day 2 of the CIBC Atlanta Slam, higher seeds dominated, winning 90% of their matches except in men’s singles. The biggest upset came from #41 Elina Geut, who defeated #9 Lacy Schneemann. Jack Sock faced a tough day, losing in men’s and mixed doubles.
Thursday’s Round of 16 will feature key matchups, including Alshon/Newman vs. Loong/Garnett and Bright/Rohrabacher vs. Fahey/Padegimaite. The tournament continues to deliver exciting pickleball action.
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