2024 PPA Kansas City Highlights: The 2024 Selkirk PPA Kansas City Open, held at the Elite Tennis and Wellness Center in Overland Park, Kansas, showed some surprising results and remarkable performances. This event, the 14th stop on the PPA Tour this year, delivered high drama and impressive play, with the Johns brothers experiencing setbacks, Gabe Tardio earning his first gold, and the PPA Tour making SportsCenter’s Top 10 plays three times.
Staksrud and Tardio Make Waves in Men’s Doubles
The 2024 Selkirk PPA Kansas City Open saw Federico Staksrud and Gabe Tardio claim the men’s doubles gold, marking a significant milestone for both players. Staksrud earned his second PPA Tour gold, while Tardio celebrated his first. They faced off against the formidable Johns brothers in the semifinals, prevailing with a score of 11-9, 1-11, 11-5. In the finals, they defeated top seeds JW Johnson and Dylan Frazier with a commanding performance, winning 11-4, 11-8, 11-2. A memorable moment of the finals was Tardio’s unconventional snack break, grabbing a slice of pizza during a crucial point—a highlight that might become his signature move.
Buckner and Garnett Secure Their Second Singles Gold Medals
In a remarkable display of skill, Brooke Buckner and Connor Garnett each captured their second singles gold medals of the PPA Tour season at the Kansas City Open. Buckner, known for her exceptional groundstroke skills, went through a challenging path to victory. She won against Judit Castillo, and Kaitlyn Christian, and in the gold medal match, edged out Kate Fahey in a tightly contested three-game battle. Similarly, Garnett, the No. 2 seed, showed his dominance with impressive victories, including a standout performance against Tyson McGuffin in the finals, highlighted by a golden pickle in the first game.
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Notable Upsets Shake Up the Tournament Landscape
The Kansas City Open was marked by several unexpected upsets:
- Men’s Singles: John Cincola, ranked 44th, made an impressive run to the Round of 16, defeating higher-ranked players such as Travis Rettenmaier (2-11, 11-8, 11-9) and Collin Shick (8-11, 12-10, 11-7). Eric Roddy also made headlines by pickling Hayden Patriquin (9-11, 11-0, 11-9) and advancing to the quarterfinals.
- Women’s Singles: Mari Humberg and Kate Fahey, who had to qualify for the main draw, made significant strides. Humberg secured the bronze medal by overcoming tough opponents including Lauren Stratman and Kaitlyn Christian, while Fahey earned silver after a strong performance throughout the tournament.
Johns Brothers’ Winning Streak Comes to an End
The Johns brothers, Ben and Collin, have experienced a notable downturn in their performance since their last gold medal at the PPA LA Open in April. With their victory count dwindling and a potential four-month streak without a title approaching, they face mounting pressure to reclaim their top spot in upcoming tournaments.
Parenteau and Waters Maintain Unmatched Dominance
Catherine Parenteau and Anna Leigh Waters continued their reign as the top women’s doubles team with another victory at the Kansas City Open. Their record now stands at an impressive 98-1 for the season, underlining their dominance. Despite attempts from other competitive duos, such as Rachel Rohrabacher and Anna Bright, Parenteau and Waters’ superior offensive and defensive play, combined with their exceptional partner communication, solidifies their position as the leading women’s team in the sport.
News in Brief: 2024 PPA Kansas City Highlights
The 2024 Selkirk PPA Kansas City Open, held at the Elite Tennis and Wellness Center, featured dramatic matches and notable results. Federico Staksrud and Gabe Tardio clinched the men’s doubles gold, with Tardio’s pizza break becoming a memorable moment. Brooke Buckner and Connor Garnett each secured their second singles gold medals of the season.
The event saw significant upsets, including strong performances from John Cincola and Mari Humberg. The Johns brothers’ streak ended, and Catherine Parenteau and Anna Leigh Waters continued their dominance with a remarkable 98-1 season record in women’s doubles.
