Rafa Hewett and Noe Khlif Dominate Late: Rafa Hewett and Noe Khlif battled past Pat Smith and Jay Devilliers in a dramatic men’s doubles quarterfinal at the Proton Tucson Open, winning 12-10, 11-1. Their comeback victory at the Tucson Racquet and Fitness Club propels them into their first semifinal as a duo.
Hewett and Khlif Rally to Victory
The No. 13 seeds faced early trouble, trailing 10-6 in the opening game. But with relentless defense and clutch shot-making, Hewett and Khlif saved eight game points to steal the set 12-10. That momentum carried over into Game 2, where they dominated 11-1 to close out the match convincingly.
This marks a career breakthrough for Khlif, who had never reached a men’s doubles semifinal at this level. The duo’s chemistry and aggressive play have made them a dangerous team throughout the tournament.
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Semifinal Test Against Johnson and Tardio
Next, Hewett and Khlif will face No. 2 seeds JW Johnson and Gabe Tardio in the semifinals. The matchup is especially intriguing, as Hewett and Khlif defeated Johnson and Tardio in a tournament just last month.
Johnson and Tardio, known for their tactical precision, will be a tough challenge. However, Hewett and Khlif’s recent success against them suggests another thrilling battle is ahead.
A Major Step Forward
With their semifinal berth, Hewett and Khlif are proving themselves as contenders in men’s doubles. Khlif’s breakthrough adds to the excitement, while Hewett continues to establish himself as a top competitor.
The Proton Tucson Open’s men’s and women’s doubles action continues, with matches available for streaming on PickleballTV at 1 p.m. ET.
News in Brief: Rafa Hewett and Noe Khlif Dominate Late
Rafa Hewett and Noe Khlif defeated Pat Smith and Jay Devilliers 12-10, 11-1 in the Proton Tucson Open quarterfinals. They now face JW Johnson and Gabe Tardio in the semis, a team they beat last month. Khlif reaches his first career semifinal, marking a breakthrough moment.
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