George Rangelov Overcomes Gabe Tardio: The 2025 PPA Tour Veolia Cape Coral Open Presented by Proton has already seen its fair share of upsets and surprises, and George Rangelov added his name to the list of qualifiers shaking up the tournament. In a grueling three-game battle, Rangelov pulled off a shocking comeback victory over No. 13 seed Gabe Tardio, winning 11-9, 9-11, 11-9 to advance to the Round of 16.
A Battle of Momentum Swings
The match began with both players trading blows, as Rangelov edged out a tight first game 11-9. Tardio, a rising star known for his fast-paced play and aggressive style, responded in Game 2, taking control late to win 9-11 and push the match to a deciding third game.
Early in Game 3, it looked like Tardio was ready to cruise to victory, jumping out to a commanding 6-0 lead. With momentum entirely on his side, he appeared poised to close out the match quickly. However, Rangelov had other plans.
An Unbelievable Comeback
Despite being down six points in the decider, Rangelov refused to back down. He found his rhythm and went on an astonishing nine-point run, completely shifting the momentum in his favor to take a 9-6 lead.
Tardio fought to regain control, but Rangelov maintained his composure in the closing moments, eventually sealing the win at 11-9.
This victory marks one of the biggest upsets of the tournament so far, proving once again that no seed is safe when it comes to high-level competition on the PPA Tour.
What’s Next?
With the upset win, Rangelov advances to the Round of 16, where he will face No. 38 seed Max Freeman. With confidence riding high and another winnable match ahead, Rangelov now has a prime opportunity to reach his first-ever PPA quarterfinal.
News in Brief: George Rangelov Overcomes Gabe Tardio
George Rangelov pulled off a massive comeback at the PPA Veolia Cape Coral Open, rallying from 6-0 down in the third game to defeat No. 13 seed Gabe Tardio in a thrilling battle, 11-9, 9-11, 11-9. The qualifier moves on to the Round of 16, where he will take on No. 38 seed Max Freeman for a spot in the quarterfinals.
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