Federico Staksrud and Hayden Patriquin Pickleball Thriller: Federico Staksrud and Hayden Patriquin survived a tough challenge in the men’s doubles Round of 16 at the Veolia Cincinnati Showcase presented by Six Zero on Thursday. The No. 2 seeds defeated Ryan Fu and Max Freeman 11-0, 4-11, 11-9 to advance to the quarterfinals.
Back-to-Back Three-Game Matches
Earlier in the day, Federico Staksrud teamed with Etta Tuionetoa in mixed doubles, where they won a close three-game match over Tina Pisnik and Eric Oncins, 4-11, 11-1, 12-10. His men’s doubles match later brought even more drama, pushing him into his second three-game contest of the day.
View this post on Instagram
Fast Start, Sudden Turnaround
Staksrud and Patriquin opened the match in complete control, scoring an 11-0 win in the first game in less than ten minutes. However, Ryan Fu and Max Freeman responded strongly, adjusting to a quicker style that gave them a 11-4 victory in the second game.
A Nail-Biting Decider
In the deciding game, Federico Staksrud and Hayden Patriquin switched sides, with Patriquin playing on the left and Staksrud on the right. The change worked early, as they built a 7-2 lead. But Ryan Fu and Max Freeman fought back, saving six match points and closing the gap to 9-10. On their seventh chance, Staksrud and Patriquin finally secured the win.
View this post on Instagram
Praise for Opponents
After the match, Federico Staksrud gave credit to Ryan Fu and Max Freeman for their effort.
“Ryan and Max played really well. I thought in the second game, especially, they hit great drives, and they caught us a little bit off guard. After an 11-0, you don’t expect that change, so it was kind of surprising,”(Federico Staksrud).
Looking Ahead in Cincinnati
The victory keeps Federico Staksrud in the running for a Triple Crown, as he remains alive in singles, mixed doubles, and men’s doubles. He is now one of only two players, along with Anna Leigh Waters, still in the chase for all three titles in Cincinnati. Staksrud and Patriquin will next face Jaume Martinez Vich and Dylan Frazier, the No. 5 seeds, in Friday’s quarterfinal.
News in Brief: Federico Staksrud and Hayden Patriquin Pickleball Thriller
Federico Staksrud and Hayden Patriquin held off Ryan Fu and Max Freeman in a three-game thriller, 11-0, 4-11, 11-9, to reach the men’s doubles quarterfinals at the Veolia Cincinnati Showcase. Staksrud also won earlier in mixed doubles, keeping his Triple Crown hopes alive heading into Friday’s matches.
ALSO READ: Federico Staksrud Dominates Cincinnati Opener With Blistering Straight-Set Win