PPA Mixed Doubles Semifinals Rescheduled: The IHG Hotels and Resorts Bristol Open, a tournament already brimming with excitement and anticipation, has encountered an unexpected hurdle—Mother Nature. Due to relentless rain throughout the day, the mixed doubles semifinals, originally scheduled for Friday, have been rescheduled to Saturday morning.
Rain Delays Take Center Stage
The Bristol Sportsplex has seen its share of showers, but today’s downpour was more than just a passing nuisance. As the rain continued to drench the courts, tournament officials had little choice but to push the matches back, aiming to give the players and fans the best possible conditions for what promises to be a thrilling set of semifinals. With more rain expected later in the evening, the decision to reschedule was almost inevitable.
Saturday’s Schedule: An Early Start
To accommodate the delay, the mixed doubles semifinals will kick off Saturday’s action, preceding the men’s and women’s doubles matches. The semifinals are slated to begin at 9 a.m. EST, setting the stage for an action-packed day at the Bristol Sportsplex.
Saturday’s matches will be streamed live on PickleballTV from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., with a rerun scheduled on FS1 at 7 p.m. The championship and consolation matches for singles and doubles will take place on Sunday, with coverage on FOX from 1-3 p.m., and additional streaming on PickleballTV from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. and 3-6 p.m.
High Stakes and New Partnerships
The rescheduled semifinals feature some intriguing matchups. Top seeds Anna Leigh Waters and Ben Johns will face the No. 4 seeds, Tina Pisnik and Dekel Bar, in a showdown that promises to be a test of skill and resilience. On the other side of the draw, the No. 2 seeds, Anna Bright and Christian Alshon are set to take on No. 14 seeds Jackie Kawamoto and Jaume Martinez Vich, a duo making their first appearance together in this high-stakes environment.
The weather may have thrown a wrench into the plans, but with the promise of high-quality matches on Saturday morning, the delay only adds to the anticipation of what’s to come.