PPA Las Vegas Women’s Single Preview: The Las Vegas Pickleball Cup is set to conclude with a highly anticipated matchup: #17 seed Kate Fahey versus #1 seed Anna Leigh Waters. For the first time in their careers, these two will face off in the ladies’ singles final on Sunday. Fahey’s impressive run through the tournament, where she has played her way through top contenders without dropping a single game, has set the stage for what promises to be an electrifying final.
Fahey’s Path to Championship Sunday
Kate Fahey’s journey to the final has been nothing short of remarkable. To secure her place on Championship Sunday, Fahey has taken down a series of formidable opponents: Dodo Kong, Judit Castillo, Mary Brascia, Lea Jansen, and, in the semifinals, Lacy Schneemann. Throughout these five matches, Fahey has conceded only 46 points, showing her skill, endurance, and mental toughness.
Fans and fellow players have been captivated by Fahey’s athleticism, unflappable demeanor, and sharp passing shots. Her background in tennis, where she excelled as a standout D1 player at the University of Michigan, has influenced her pickleball game.
Fahey’s impressive resume includes being a three-time ITA All-American, a two-time Big Ten Athlete of the Year, and holding Michigan’s records for career singles wins (132) and career winning percentage (.815).
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Waters’ Continued Dominance
In contrast, Anna Leigh Waters has been a dominant force in singles. With only twelve losses over her entire singles career on tour—mostly from her earlier days in professional pickleball—Waters has established herself as a top player.
This week in Las Vegas, she has made her way through Julia Ronney, Jorja Johnson, Lina Padegimaite, and Salome Devidze, mirroring Fahey’s success by not losing a game and only dropping 37 points in four matches.
The Rising Star
Kate Fahey may be new to the professional scene, having turned pro only a few months ago, but she has quickly made a name for herself. Her performance has been particularly noteworthy during her time with the MLP team, St. Louis Shock, where she was a surprising pick in the 2024 draft.
Fahey’s rapid ascent is highlighted by her recent achievements: a silver medal in Kansas City, a gold medal in Salt Lake City, and now, another final appearance in Vegas. Interestingly, Waters did not compete in the two tournaments where Fahey medaled, adding intrigue to their upcoming match.
The Big Question
Both Waters and Fahey are exceptional athletes with the skills to match. As they prepare to face each other, many are speculating whether Fahey could be the one to finally challenge Waters on the singles court. In her post-semifinal interview, Fahey shared her thoughts about the upcoming match.
“It’s an incredible opportunity, I’m really excited, I’ve never played her before. I have a lot of confidence in my game, I’m just going to stick to it. Hopefully I can get the crowd behind me.” – (Fahey)
With Championship Sunday on the horizon, all eyes will be on the court as these two players battle it out for the title.
News in Brief: PPA Las Vegas Women’s Single Preview
With Fahey’s meteoric rise and impressive performance throughout the tournament, she certainly has the potential to challenge Waters like no other player has before. However, Waters’ established dominance and experience in high-stakes matches provide her with a formidable advantage. While Fahey’s athleticism and recent form are undeniable, Waters’ consistency and track record in crucial moments may give her the edge.
Expect a fiercely contested match with Fahey pushing Waters to the limit. If Fahey can maintain her current level of play and capitalize on her opportunities, she could very well pull off an upset. Yet, given Waters’ proven ability to handle pressure and her remarkable track record, the prediction leans slightly in favor of Waters to claim victory, though it will likely be a close and thrilling encounter.
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