Andrei Daescu and Gabriel Tardio Reach PPA Final: In what is already being hailed as the match of the year, Andrei Daescu and Gabriel Tardio delivered a thrilling performance to defeat No. 5 seeds, Hayden Patriquin and Pablo Tellez, securing an 11-5, 7-11, and 13-11 victory that had fans on the edge of their seats.
The match was a show of resilience, skill, and intense competition, as Daescu and Tardio faced off against the red-hot duo of Patriquin and Tellez, who had just toppled top seeds Dylan Frazier and JW Johnson in the quarterfinals.
Despite their earlier success, Patriquin and Tellez started slowly in this semifinal clash, dropping the first game 11-5. However, they quickly found their rhythm, taking the second game 11-7 and forcing a decisive third.
Game 3 was nothing short of a marathon, lasting over thirty minutes and featuring some of the finest pickleball seen this season. Both teams played at their peak, with neither side able to pull away as the score remained tight throughout. Trailing 8-9, Tardio and Daescu dug deep, winning two consecutive points to earn match point at 10-9.
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What followed was a heart-pounding series of exchanges as Tardio and Daescu had three opportunities to close out the match, only to see Patriquin and Tellez fend them off each time. With the score tied at 11-11, Patriquin and Tellez had their chance to snatch victory, but they couldn’t capitalize.
In the end, it was Tardio and Daescu who showed their mettle, scoring three straight points on their final service possession to clinch the match dramatically. The victory was particularly sweet for Tardio, who was going up against his Major League Pickleball (MLP) teammate, Hayden Patriquin. The two 18-year-olds, who play together for the St. Louis Shock, engaged in friendly banter throughout the match, adding an extra layer of intensity to the contest.
“I love to play against Hayden,” Tardio said after the match. “I got really tight coming into this match because he always reminds me that he’s 1-0 against me this year, so this is huge.” Tardio’s satisfaction was clear, especially as he sealed the win by countering Patriquin’s erne on match point—a fitting end to an instant classic.
With this victory, Tardio and Daescu now turn their attention to the final, where they will face No. 3 seeds James Ignatowich and Matt Wright. The duo will be aiming to capture their first PPA title together, riding high on the momentum of their spectacular semifinal win.
News in Brief: Andrei Daescu and Gabriel Tardio Reach PPA Final
In a match hailed as the year’s best, Andrei Daescu and Gabriel Tardio defeated No. 5 seeds Hayden Patriquin and Pablo Tellez with a gripping 11-5, 7-11, and 13-11 victory. The semifinal clash showed exceptional skill and determination, with both teams pushing each other to the limit.
After Daescu and Tardio won the first game, Patriquin and Tellez rallied to take the second, setting up a dramatic third game that lasted over thirty minutes. The final game saw intense back-and-forth action, with Tardio and Daescu overcoming three match points against them to finally secure the win with three consecutive points.
Tardio, especially, relished the victory over his MLP teammate, Patriquin, as he redeemed an earlier defeat this season. Daescu and Tardio now look forward to the final, aiming for their first PPA title as they ride the high from their thrilling semifinal performance.
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