In a thrilling conclusion to the CIBC Atlanta Slam presented by Vizzy, the No. 2 seeded duo of Rachel Rohrabacher and Anna Bright claimed their first Grand Slam title. They overcame the formidable No. 1 seeds, Anna Leigh Waters and Catherine Parenteau, in a gripping four-game match, with a final score of 11-3, 11-9, 9-11, and 11-5.
Tense Battle and Winning Shot
The match was a showcase of intense pickleball, characterized by thrilling rallies and a charged atmosphere. Rohrabacher’s decisive two-handed backhand counter, which clinched the match, was a highlight of their performance.
“I was definitely shaking a little bit because I messed up the first match point we had. I wanted to be solid, not do anything extra, and keep doing what we were doing the whole match.” – (Rohrabacher)
Breaking the Streak
This victory was particularly significant as Rohrabacher and Bright are the first team to beat Waters and Parenteau since March when they achieved a similar feat at the Veolia Austin Open. This time, the win was broadcast nationally on CBS Sports, adding excitement to their achievement.
Impact and Reactions
Bright expressed her enthusiasm about the growing visibility of pickleball, noting,
“I feel like pickleball is really turning a corner. I spent a little extra time this morning on my makeup because I knew I was going to be on TV. Thank you to everyone tuning into pickleball. This is so exciting.”
Rohrabacher and Bright’s win not only disrupted the dominant streak of the reigning champs but also showed their rising status in women’s doubles.
With this win, Rohrabacher and Bright have firmly established themselves as the duo to watch, having now dethroned the reigning champions twice. Their continued strength in tournaments points to a bright future in the sport.
News in Brief: Rachel Rohrabacher and Anna Bright
Rachel Rohrabacher and Anna Bright achieved a historic win at the CIBC Atlanta Slam, defeating top seeds Anna Leigh Waters and Catherine Parenteau 11-3, 11-9, 9-11, and 11-5. Rohrabacher’s match-winning two-handed backhand was a standout moment in their first Grand Slam title together.
This victory also marks the second time Rohrabacher and Bright have overcome Waters and Parenteau, now broadcast nationally on CBS Sports. Bright celebrated the increasing visibility of pickleball, emphasizing the sport’s growing popularity.
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