CIBC Atlanta Slam Semifinal: Friday’s rainy and wet conditions in Atlanta led to all quarterfinal matches being played indoors at Life Time Fitness. Despite the dreary weather and it being Friday the 13th, the day was filled with exciting pickleball action.
Mixed Doubles Highlights
The mixed doubles semifinals are set with three teams that have yet to lose a game this week. The top seeds, Anna Leigh Waters and Ben Johns, will face #3 seeds Jorja Johnson and JW Johnson.
Despite numerous encounters in 2024, the Johnsons have yet to claim a victory over the top seeds. The other semifinal features #4 seeds Catherine Parenteau and Christian Alshon, who are also undefeated, going up against #14 seeds Lacy Schneemann and Tyson McGuffin, who have proven themselves as formidable underdogs.
Competitive Men’s Singles
The men’s singles quarterfinals were fiercely contested, with all four matches extending to three games. #1 seed Federico Staksrud narrowly defeated #21 Gabe Tardio 11-9, 9-11, 11-6 and will face #3 seed Connor Garnett.
The other side of the draw saw upsets, with #11 JW Johnson and #20 Hunter Johnson advancing to the semifinals.
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Waters’ Near-Set Loss
Anna Leigh Waters has been a dominant force this week, winning every game in the three events. However, in women’s doubles on Friday, #5 seeds Allyce Jones and Tyra Black managed to score 10 points in the second game before losing 11-3, 12-10. This is a testament to their resilience, even in a losing effort.
Johns Brothers’ Revenge
Collin and Ben Johns faced their recent nemeses, Andrei Daescu and Gabe Tardio, in the quarterfinals. After losing the first game 11-5, the Johns brothers came back strong, winning the next two games 11-6, 11-3.
They will now face #8 seeds Christian Alshon and Riley Newman, who eliminated them in Las Vegas last week, adding another layer of revenge to the matchup.
Looking Ahead
With all semifinal matches promising high-level play and several teams arriving without a loss, Saturday’s matches are expected to be thrilling. The semifinals of the CIBC Atlanta Slam presented by Vizzy will surely showcase the best of pickleball as teams vie for gold.
News in Brief: CIBC Atlanta Slam Semifinal
Day 4 of the CIBC Atlanta Slam saw all quarterfinals moved indoors due to rain. In mixed doubles, top seeds Anna Leigh Waters and Ben Johns will face Jorja Johnson and JW Johnson, while Catherine Parenteau and Christian Alshon meet Lacy Schneemann and Tyson McGuffin.
In men’s singles, Federico Staksrud faces Connor Garnett, with JW Johnson and Hunter Johnson also advancing. Anna Leigh Waters nearly lost a game to Allyce Jones and Tyra Black, and the Johns brothers avenged recent losses against Daescu and Tardio. The semifinals promise intense action.
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