The Nashville Chefs earned a close win over the Florida Smash on Thursday at Sportime Randall’s Island as Major League Pickleball New York got underway. The match was decided by a tense Dreambreaker round, where the Nashville Chefs edged out the Florida Smash 23-21 to secure victory.
Premier Level and Challenger Level teams competed in this opening-day showdown. Both sides traded wins in the first four games, setting up the need for a tiebreaker to crown the winner.
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Nashville Takes Early Lead in Women’s Doubles
The Nashville Chefs started strong in women’s doubles. Michelle Esquivel and Ewa Radzikowska defeated Paula Rives Palau and Martina Frantova 11-5. This early win gave Nashville momentum.
Florida Answers in Men’s Doubles
The Florida Smash answered back quickly. Cason Campbell and Travis Rettenmaier played with focus to beat Marshall Brown and Anderson Scarpa 11-6, tying the match.
Mixed Doubles Split the Score Again
The first mixed doubles game went to the Florida Smash. Travis Rettenmaier and Paula Rives Palau held off Michelle Esquivel and Marshall Brown 11-9.
But Nashville bounced back in the second mixed doubles contest. Ewa Radzikowska and Anderson Scarpa defeated Cason Campbell and Martina Frantova 11-9, leveling the score at two games each.
| Match | Nashville Chefs | VS | Florida Smash | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Women’s Doubles | Michelle Esquivel / Ewa Radzikowska | VS | Paula Rives Palau / Martina Frantova | 11-5 |
| Men’s Doubles | Marshall Brown / Anderson Scarpa | VS | Cason Campbell / Travis Rettenmaier | 6-11 |
| Mixed Doubles 1 | Michelle Esquivel / Marshall Brown | VS | Travis Rettenmaier / Paula Rives Palau | 9-11 |
| Mixed Doubles 2 | Ewa Radzikowska / Anderson Scarpa | VS | Cason Campbell / Martina Frantova | 11-9 |
| Dreambreaker | Marshall Brown / Anderson Scarpa / Ewa Radzikowska / Michelle Esquivel | VS | Cason Campbell / Travis Rettenmaier / Martina Frantova / Paula Rives Palau | 23-21 |
Dreambreaker Decides the Match
With the teams tied, the contest moved to a Dreambreaker. The Nashville Chefs team of Marshall Brown, Anderson Scarpa, Ewa Radzikowska, and Michelle Esquivel faced Cason Campbell, Travis Rettenmaier, Martina Frantova, and Paula Rives Palau. After a tight battle, Nashville emerged on top with a 23-21 win.
This win helps the Nashville Chefs improve their standing early in the event. The Florida Smash showed strong teamwork and nearly pulled off the win, but will need to regroup before their next match. The tournament will continue through the weekend, with every result shaping the path to the playoffs.
News in Brief: Nashville Chefs Pickleball Dreambreaker Win
The Nashville Chefs defeated the Florida Smash at Major League Pickleball New York. After splitting four games, Nashville won a close Dreambreaker 23-21. The event at Sportime Randall’s Island continues with more matches as teams look to earn key playoff points.
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