Top Women’s Doubles Teams Fall Short: For the first time in months, the two most dominant women’s doubles teams failed to reach the finals. At the CIBC Texas Open in McKinney, the duos of Anna Leigh Waters/Catherine Parenteau and Rachel Rohrabacher/Anna Bright were both eliminated before the championship match, ending a 10-tournament streak.
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Windy Conditions Play a Role
Saturday’s gusty conditions, with winds reaching 40 mph, created a challenge for all competitors. While every team faced the elements, the top seeds struggled to adjust. In the quarterfinals, Anna Leigh and Catherine lost to fifth-seeded Callie Smith and Etta Tuionetoa, falling 11-4, 8-11, 8-11.
During the third game, Waters requested a stoppage due to the conditions, but PPA Head Referee Don Stanley allowed play to continue. This victory marked a career-defining moment for Smith and Tuionetoa, who played together for the first time.
On the other side of the bracket, Rohrabacher and Bright faced a tough quarterfinal against eighth-seeded Kate Fahey and Tina Pisnik, winning 10-12, 11-4, 11-7. However, their tournament run ended in the semifinals against Parris Todd and Tyra Black, who outplayed them to advance.
Breaking the Pattern
Women’s doubles had been predictable in 2025, with the same two teams dominating every final except for one event in Australia. The Texas Open, however, proved that other teams were ready to compete at the highest level.
Smith and Tuionetoa’s upset win and Todd and Black’s strong performance suggest that more competition could be on the horizon. The question remains: Can these teams maintain their momentum and challenge the top duos in future tournaments?
News in Brief: Top Women’s Doubles Teams Fall Short
The 2025 CIBC Texas Open saw a major shake-up in women’s doubles, with the top two teams failing to reach the final for the first time in 10 tournaments. Windy conditions played a factor as Smith/Tuionetoa and Todd/Black delivered upsets. The results hint at a more competitive 2025 season in women’s doubles.