Kawamoto Sisters Stun Favorites: Jackie Kawamoto and Jade Kawamoto delivered a stunning comeback win over Anna Bright and Rachel Rohrabacher to secure a spot in the women’s doubles semifinals at the 2025 PPA Tour: Veolia North Carolina Open in Cary, North Carolina.
The No. 6 seeds came from behind after a lopsided first game to win the quarterfinal in three games 2-11, 12-10, 11-4, setting up a semifinal showdown with No. 3 seeds Tyra Black and Jorja Johnson on Saturday.
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From Flat Start to Fierce Finish
Bright and Rohrabacher looked unstoppable early, crushing the opening game 11-2 with strong returns and net dominance. But the tide turned quickly as the Kawamoto sisters regrouped in Game 2.
“I’m not sure what happened in Game 1. I think we woke up a little bit [after that]. We were a little tired from our Round of 16 match and had to get the legs going and get on the same page with each other.” – (Jackie)
Their coordination returned just in time, as they edged a tight second game 12-10, then dominated the decider 11-4 to complete the upset.
Black and Johnson Cruise Into Semis
Their upcoming opponents, Tyra Black and Jorja Johnson, had a smoother path to the semifinals. The No. 3 seeds defeated No. 5 seeds Meghan Dizon and Etta Tuionetoa in straight games 11-8, 11-8, using strong communication and quick transitions to stay in control throughout the match.
With both teams playing their best heading into Saturday, the semifinal promises to be highly competitive.
All Eyes on Semifinal Saturday
The Jackie and Jade Kawamoto vs. Tyra Black and Jorja Johnson matchup is one of two women’s doubles semifinals set for Saturday at Cary Tennis Park, with the winners advancing to the championship match on Sunday.
This semifinal pairs two high-energy teams known for resilience and sharp tactics, making it a must-watch contest.
News in Brief: Kawamoto Sisters Stun Favorites
Jackie and Jade Kawamoto upset No. 2 seeds Anna Bright and Rachel Rohrabacher in three games to move into the women’s doubles semifinals at the 2025 Veolia North Carolina Open. They will face Tyra Black and Jorja Johnson, who advanced after a straight-game win over Meghan Dizon and Etta Tuionetoa.
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