Kawamoto Sisters Pickleball Comeback Win: Jackie Kawamoto and Jade Kawamoto pulled off a dramatic comeback to reach the women’s doubles final at the PPA Tour Veolia Cincinnati Showcase on September 13, 2025. The sisters defeated top seeds Anna Leigh Waters and Anna Bright in three games, 7-11, 11-6, 11-9, after trailing late in the decider.
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A Stunning Turnaround in the Final Game
Anna Leigh Waters and Anna Bright looked set for victory when they led 9-4 in the third game. But Jackie Kawamoto and Jade Kawamoto strung together seven straight points to complete the comeback. The win marked a second consecutive loss for Waters and Bright, who had previously won their first 45 matches as a pair.
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Emotions and Support from the Crowd
The Kawamoto sisters credited the Cincinnati crowd for lifting their performance in the key moments.
“I’m just so grateful for all our friends and family that came out. This crowd is so great. They really helped us the whole time. There’s something very special about this tournament.”(Jackie Kawamoto)
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Strategic Edge in the Middle
As a lefty-righty team, Jackie Kawamoto and Jade Kawamoto focused on covering the middle of the court. Their ability to counter the speed of Waters and Bright proved critical.
“We knew covering the middle was going to be a big thing for us, so we focused on that in the warmup and made sure we knew the patterns and who was going to cover the middle when,” (Jade Kawamoto).
Road to the Final
This victory sends the sisters into their first championship match since the 2024 Milwaukee Open, where they lost a close five-game battle to Anna Bright and Rachel Rohrabacher. In Cincinnati, the No. 6 seeds will now face Jorja Johnson and Tyra Black, who defeated Parris Todd and Catherine Parenteau in the other semifinal.
What This Win Means
The result not only puts Jackie Kawamoto and Jade Kawamoto back on a championship stage but also adds another chapter to their strong history in Cincinnati. Their resilience against the top seeds shows they remain a dangerous team, especially under pressure. On Sunday, they will look to capture a long-awaited title.
News in Brief: Kawamoto Sisters Pickleball Comeback Win
Jackie Kawamoto and Jade Kawamoto upset top seeds Anna Leigh Waters and Anna Bright 7-11, 11-6, 11-9 in the Cincinnati semifinals. Trailing 9-4 in the third game, the Kawamotos scored seven straight points to win. They will face Jorja Johnson and Tyra Black in Sunday’s final.