Christian Alshon and Riley Newman: As the sun set on Quarterfinals Day at The PPA Las Vegas Pickleball Cup, the Fontainebleau was alive with thrilling pickleball action. The latest results have set the stage for an electrifying semifinal round, with the top seeds battling through intense matches to secure their spots.
Alshon and Newman Stun with Narrow Victory
In a high-stakes showdown, Alshon and Newman delivered a gripping performance, overcoming the formidable duo of Ben and Collin Johns with a scoreline of 11-5, 9-11, and 12-10. The match, characterized by relentless rallies and fierce exchanges, saw the former MLP teammates show their mettle in a contest that seemed destined to go the distance.
The tension peaked when Alshon and Newman, having taken the first game, held a 9-8 lead in the second. The Johns brothers, however, staged a remarkable comeback, securing three consecutive points to force a deciding third game.
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A Decisive Final Game and Impressive Resilience
The final game was a testament to the endurance and skill of both pairs. Alshon and Newman initially fell behind 3-5, but they rallied with six straight points to seize a 9-5 lead. Despite a valiant effort from the Johns brothers to level the score at 10-10, the No. 6 seeds proved their resolve by closing out the match after three intense match points.
Newman reflected on the match, highlighting the mental toughness required.
“We just had to stay mentally tough. That second game was a heartbreaker. We had our chances, but Christian and I kind of looked at each other and said, ‘We’re built for this.’ We knew we just had to believe and not give up.” – (Newman)
Looking Ahead to the Semifinals
With this hard-fought victory, Alshon and Newman are set to face either Dekel Bar and Zane Navratil or Hayden Patriquin and Pablo Tellez in Saturday’s semifinal round. The anticipation is building as these top contenders prepare to continue their pursuit of the championship.
The Fontainebleau has once again proven to be the stage for dramatic and high-caliber pickleball, setting the tone for an exciting conclusion to the PPA Las Vegas Pickleball Cup.
News in Brief: Christian Alshon and Riley Newman
At Quarterfinals Day of The PPA Las Vegas Pickleball Cup, Alshon and Newman edged out Ben and Collin Johns with a dramatic 11-5, 9-11, and 12-10 win. The match was a test of endurance, with Alshon and Newman overcoming a second-game loss and a 3-5 deficit in the final game.
Despite Johns’ rally to tie the score at 10-10, the No. 6 seeds secured victory on their third match point. Alshon and Newman will face either Bar/Navratil or Patriquin/Tellez in the semifinals.
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