Ben Johns and Gabe Tardio Survive Semifinal Thriller: Overcoming a tough challenge, Ben Johns and Gabe Tardio secured their spot in the men’s doubles final at the CIBC Texas Open, defeating Andrei Daescu and Dylan Frazier in a gripping three-game match.
Match Overview
The second-seeded duo of Johns and Tardio faced the third-seeded team of Daescu and Frazier in a high-stakes semifinal at the Courts of McKinney in McKinney, Texas. The match concluded with scores of 11-3, 12-14, 12-10 in favor of Johns and Tardio. Despite a commanding start, Johns and Tardio encountered fierce resistance, leading to a thrilling contest.
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Early Dominance and Unexpected Turn
Johns and Tardio began the match assertively, clinching the first game 11-3 and establishing a 6-1 lead in the second. However, Daescu and Frazier mounted a remarkable comeback, overturning the deficit to win the second game 14-12, thereby extending the match to a decisive third game.
Decisive Third Game
The final game was a nail-biter, with Johns and Tardio overcoming an early 0-4 deficit. After over an hour of intense play, they clinched the game 12-10 on their sixth match point, securing their place in the final.
Player Insights
Reflecting on the match’s intensity,
“I just knew that we needed to do basically the same thing we did in Game 2. I felt like if we got more good looks, we were going to come away with it, and it’s fortunate that Gabe plays really well under pressure. He goes for his shots, and that’s exactly what we needed at the end there to pull through.”(Ben Johns)
Gabe Tardio expressed his satisfaction with their performance, stating,
“I’m feeling super happy to be back in a final with Ben. I think it’s a lot of pressure playing with him, so I’m just happy to get it done today. Hopefully we can take gold tomorrow and not a silver.”(Gabe Tardio)
Upcoming Final
Johns and Tardio are set to face top seeds Christian Alshon and Federico Staksrud in the championship match. Notably, both pairs have showcased exceptional skill throughout the tournament, setting the stage for an exciting final.
News in Brief: Ben Johns and Gabe Tardio Survive Semifinal Thriller
Ben Johns and Gabe Tardio advanced to the men’s doubles final at the CIBC Texas Open after a thrilling three-game semifinal victory over Andrei Daescu and Dylan Frazier. They will compete against top seeds Christian Alshon and Federico Staksrud in the championship match.
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