New York Hustlers Seek Revenge from Dallas Flash: The first quarterfinal matchup in the Premier Level features the Dallas Flash taking on the New York Hustlers. Both teams are coming into this matchup with different recent performances and lineups.
Rosters
- Dallas Flash: JW Johnson, Jorja Johnson, Hurricane Tyra Black, Augie Ge
- New York Hustlers: Jack Sock, Jackie Kawamoto, Lea Jansen, CJ Klinger
Recent Performance
The Dallas Flash last competed at MLP Las Vegas, where they earned nine points from five matches but suffered regulation losses to Arizona Drive and St. Louis Shock. On the other hand, the New York Hustlers began MLP Miami with a strong start, defeating D.C. Pickleball Club and Orlando Squeeze with a 3-1 score.
However, they hit a rough patch, losing three consecutive matches by a lopsided 1-11 scoreline. Key player CJ Klinger was unable to participate in the last two matches due to migraines, raising concerns about his health for the playoffs.
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Matchup Breakdown
Men’s Doubles
The male players of the Dallas Flash have shown consistent performance this season, while the New York Hustlers have shown variability in their play.
JW Johnson and Augie Ge are expected to outperform their opponents with superior dinking skills. The New York Hustlers will need to adopt a drive-and-crash strategy and capitalize on any opportunities to speed up their game.
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Women’s Doubles
Lea Jansen and Jackie Kawamoto have established themselves as the third-best women’s doubles team throughout the season, trailing only Anna Leigh Waters/Mari Humberg and Anna Bright/Kate Fahey.
In contrast, Jorja Johnson and Hurricane Tyra Black have been a competent duo but inconsistent in their performance. If the Dallas Flash can secure a win in this category, it could spell significant trouble for the New York Hustlers.
Mixed Doubles
Both teams feature a left-handed male player paired with a left-side female player, creating an interesting dynamic. The New York Hustlers have a balanced 1A/1B mixed doubles team setup, while the Dallas Flash clearly distinguishes between their top pairing and a secondary duo.
If the Dallas Flash leads after the gender doubles match, they may opt for Hurricane Tyra Black and Augie Ge to face the stronger of the New York Hustlers’ teams, leaving JW Johnson and Jorja Johnson to compete against the weaker pairing.
Dreambreaker
In terms of Dreambreakers, the Dallas Flash has a record of 1-2 this year, while the New York Hustlers boast a stronger 6-3 record. Across the board, the New York Hustlers have a more formidable Dreambreaker team, with CJ Klinger performing well as the second man, Lea Jansen excelling in the number one position, and Jackie Kawamoto being an exceptional second female player. JW Johnson will need to elevate his game significantly for the Dallas Flash to stand a chance in a Dreambreaker scenario.
Regular Season Matchup Recap
The series between the Dallas Flash and New York Hustlers is currently split 1-1. The Dallas Flash claimed a convincing 4-0 victory over the New York Hustlers in the first event of the season held in MLP Atlanta, while the New York Hustlers responded with a 3-1 win during MLP Washington, D.C. Notably, these teams have not faced each other in over four months.