PPA Rate Las Vegas Championships Women’s Doubles: As the 2024 PPA Rate Las Vegas Championships concluded, one might glance at the podium and think, “Oh, just another title for Waters and Parenteau.” However, this perception would vastly underestimate the high level of play exhibited by the #1 duo and their opponents in the gold medal match, #2 Anna Bright and Rachel Rohrabacher, as well as the electrifying final that happened.
A Straightforward Path to the Final
Both teams played their way to the finals without dropping a single game in the early rounds. Anna Bright and Rachel Rohrabacher, fresh off a stunning semifinal performance where they dismantled the #4 seeded Lea Jansen and Lucy Kovalova 3-0, seemed assured to claim their first title against the seasoned champions. This matchup marked the seventh gold-medal showdown between these two powerhouses.
An Epic Championship Match
The final was hailed by many on social media as one of the greatest matches in recent history. Anna Bright and Rachel Rohrabacher fought valiantly, saving game points in the first game to pull off a nail-biting 12-10 victory.
However, Anna Leigh Waters and Catherine Parenteau quickly responded the evening of the match with an extraordinary rally in the second game. Catherine Parenteau’s lob, which required her to duck under the shot, was perfectly reset before she executed a swinging backhand overhead volley for a stunning winner.
The intensity escalated as both teams opted for aggressive play, favoring quick exchanges and fast-paced hands at the net, moving away from the tactical dinks seen in the Men’s final. Anna Leigh Waters, positioned on the left, frequently launched cross-court dinks with a two-handed drive that only she could master in the women’s game, captivating spectators and announcers.
A Rollercoaster of Rallies
Game three saw Anna Bright and Rachel Rohrabacher seize control, winning 11-6 without much resistance. But the top seeds quickly retaliated, claiming game four by the same score, setting the stage for a decisive fifth game. With the match already extending beyond an hour and twenty minutes, Anna Bright and Rachel Rohrabacher jumped out to a commanding 7-2 lead, seemingly in control.
Yet, Anna Leigh Waters and Catherine Parenteau rallied, unleashing seven unanswered points over two service rotations to take a 9-7 lead, pushing the second seeds into a “do or die” situation. Anna Bright and Rachel Rohrabacher answered the challenge, scoring three straight points to earn a championship point. However, the pressure was noticeable as Rachel Rohrabacher faltered, misfiring a simple third shot into the net, granting a glimmer of hope to the top seeds.
Catherine Parenteau seized the moment, winning two quick points to set up a championship point at 11-10, but they were unable to convert. The duo held firm, regained the serve, and a crucial mistake from Anna Bright—a pressed backhand dink into the net—sealed the match at 12-10 in favor of Anna Bright and Rachel Rohrabacher.
Medalists
- Gold: Anna Leigh Waters and Catherine Parenteau
- Silver: Anna Bright and Rachel Rohrabacher
- Bronze: Lea Jansen and Lucy Kovalova
News in Brief: PPA Rate Las Vegas Championships Women’s Doubles
At the 2024 PPA Rate Las Vegas Championships, Anna Leigh Waters and Catherine Parenteau won in a thrilling Women’s Pro Doubles final against Anna Bright and Rachel Rohrabacher. The match was characterized by dramatic rallies and intense exchanges, resulting in a gripping fifth game that showed the high caliber of women’s pickleball.
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