Federico Staksrud and Gabriel Tardio’s Quarterfinal at PPA: Federico Staksrud and Gabriel Tardio have made waves at the PPA Kansas City Open, securing their place in the men’s doubles semifinals with a dominant 11-5, 11-5 victory over the No. 5 seeds, Matt Wright and Andrei Daescu.
This tournament marks the first time Staksrud and Tardio have teamed up in a PPA event, but their performance suggests they have quickly found their rhythm. The duo’s complementary playing styles and their regular training sessions in Florida have paid off, disrupting the competition with their strategic play.
A Partnership in Sync
Staksrud and Tardio’s success can be attributed to their well-matched partnership. Staksrud highlighted their synergy, noting that their distinct preferences on the court play to their advantage.
“One good thing is that I prefer the left, and Gabe prefers the right. He has such good hands that I can be consistent dinking crosscourt with the person that is in front of him, and they can’t really attack him because he’s going to counter basically everything really well.” – (Staksrud)
Their ability to exploit each other’s strengths has been a critical factor in their success. Staksrud’s consistency and Tardio’s exceptional defensive skills have combined to form a formidable team.
Tardio’s Innovative Approach
At just 18 years old, Tardio is already making a significant impact in the men’s doubles arena. His approach to playing the right side of the court represents a departure from traditional tactics.
“Back in the day, the right-side player was just supposed to be the setup guy and play steady without doing too much, but I think being on the right side and having your forehand covering the line opens up opportunities to attack. Also, a lot of players have a backhand flick, and being on the right side as a right-handed player means that your backhand is in the middle. Being able to use that flick and pinching middle to bait your opponent to go up the line to your forehand is something not many people do, but it’s definitely been working for me.” – (Tardio)
Tardio’s innovative strategy shows his creativity on the court and highlights his ability to adapt and excel in evolving aspects of the game.
Staksrud and Tardio will carry their momentum into the semifinals, where they will face the No. 2 seeds, Ben and Collin Johns. The upcoming match promises to be a true test of their skill and strategy, as they look to continue their impressive run at the Kansas City Open.
With their blend of experience and youthful innovation, Staksrud and Tardio are assured to make a significant impact in the remaining rounds of the tournament.
News in Brief: Federico Staksrud and Gabriel Tardio’s Quarterfinal at PPA
Federico Staksrud and Gabriel Tardio have impressed at the PPA Kansas City Open, advancing to the men’s doubles semifinals with a decisive 11-5, 11-5 win over No. 5 seeds Matt Wright and Andrei Daescu. This is their first PPA event together, but their synergy has been evident. Staksrud noted their complementary styles, with his consistency and Tardio’s defensive prowess forming a strong team.
Tardio, just 18, brings an innovative approach to the right side, using his backhand flick to disrupt opponents. As they prepare to face the No. 2 seeds, Ben and Collin Johns, Staksrud, and Tardio are set to continue their impressive run with a mix of experience and creativity.
ALSO READ: APP Next Gen Tour in St Louis Highlights Emerging Pickleball Talent
