Hunter Johnson and Julian Arnold delivered a stunning upset in the men’s doubles Round of 16 at the PPA Masters in Palm Springs. The No. 13 seeds defeated No. 3 seeds Dylan Frazier and Pablo Tellez in a thrilling three-game match, 12-10, 4-11, 12-10, on a windy Thursday at Mission Hills Country Club.
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Impressive Comebacks Secure Victory
The Johnson/Arnold pairing displayed exceptional resilience throughout the match. In Game 1, they overcame a 2-7 deficit to win 12-10. Although they struggled in Game 2, losing 4-11, their determination shone through in the decisive third game. Trailing 2-9, they mounted an incredible comeback to secure the game and match at 12-10.
Johnson credited their ability to adapt under pressure.
“We finished on what we believed to be better the side, so we knew that we just had to kind of go after our shots,”. “We ramped up our serves, and that really helped us put the pressure on.”(Hunter Johnson)
Quarterfinals Await
Johnson and Arnold’s victory marks a significant milestone in their tournament journey. As underdogs, their performance against a higher-seeded team has raised excitement among fans and observers.
On Friday, they will face Augie Ge and Jaume Martinez Vich or Pat Smith and Jay Devilliers in the quarterfinals.
Implications of the Upset
The early elimination of Frazier and Tellez is a reminder of the unpredictable nature of the PPA Tour. Johnson and Arnold’s win highlights the importance of perseverance and adaptability, even against top-seeded teams. With momentum on their side, they now aim to extend their remarkable run deeper into the tournament.
News in Brief: Hunter Johnson and Julian Arnold
Hunter Johnson and Julian Arnold upset No. 3 seeds Dylan Frazier and Pablo Tellez in the men’s doubles Round of 16 at the PPA Masters. After trailing in both Games 1 and 3, they mounted thrilling comebacks to win 12-10, 4-11, 12-10. They advance to Friday’s quarterfinals.
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