Altaf Merchant’s Pickleball Winning Streak: Owensboro native Altaf Merchant and his partner Steven Deakin won gold at the Professional Pickleball Association (PPA) Bristol Open in Bristol, Tennessee. After receiving a first-round bye, the pair went undefeated through three matches to secure Merchant’s 38th career professional win.
Final Match Comeback
In the championship, Merchant and Deakin trailed 7-6 in the first set before changing tactics. They won the first set 11-7 and the second set 11-3.
“It was a closer match than we anticipated,”. “Part of it was because it was extremely hot. Steve is a power player, and the ball got very mushy due to the heat. His power was slightly neutralized.
We were down in game 1, 7-6, and we had to change our strategy and go into a softer game.”(Altaf Merchant)
Building Momentum After Break
The victory marked the duo’s return to competition after a break following their win at the major tournament in Atlanta in May. They see this event as preparation for the next stretch of the season.
“This was really a tournament for us to get back from almost like a summer break and get back to business,”.
“There are a few things I need to work on to get ready for this 10-week stretch coming up. This was my 38th win as a senior professional, and Steve and I have not been beaten on the PPA Tour yet.
Every win that goes by, the pressure keeps mounting. We are hoping to reach 50 tournament wins before we lose a match.”(Altaf Merchant )
Looking Ahead
Merchant and Deakin will compete next in Las Vegas on Labor Day weekend, followed by Cincinnati for the season’s third major, and then the World Championships in November. Their goal is to maintain their unbeaten record while aiming for 50 total wins.
News in Brief: Altaf Merchant’s Pickleball Winning Streak
Altaf Merchant and Steven Deakin won the PPA Bristol Open in Tennessee, marking Merchant’s 38th professional victory. They overcame an early deficit in the finals to remain unbeaten on the PPA Tour. The pair now prepares for tournaments in Las Vegas, Cincinnati, and the World Championships.
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