Can Kate Fahey Make the Cut for the 2024 Tour Finals: As the 2024 CIBC Tour Finals in San Clemente draws near, the battle for qualification in the women’s singles division is heating up. With the top eight players securing their spots, the race has come down to the final stretch of the season. The PPA’s “Race” rankings and rolling 365-day points will determine who qualifies for the December competition, with the top players vying for their place in the prestigious event.
The 2023 season saw Anna Leigh Waters and her competitors push the boundaries of the sport, and as the 2024 season nears its conclusion, the race for the Tour Finals is becoming a thrilling spectacle.
With the final two events—the 2024 Lapiplasty Pickleball World Championships and the Veolia Milwaukee Open—offering crucial points, it’s anyone’s game for the final spots.
Women’s Singles Standings: Dominance and Rising Contenders
Locks for the Tour Finals:
The top six spots in the women’s singles standings are virtually locked, with these players showing consistent excellence throughout the year:
- No.1 – Anna Leigh Waters
- No.2 – Brooke Buckner
- No.3 – Lea Jansen
- No.4 – Catherine Parenteau
- No.5 – Jorja Johnson
- No.6 – Salome Devidze
These six players have put together impressive careers, holding onto their positions at the top and nearly securing their spots in the upcoming Tour Finals.
Parris Todd and Mary Brascia Fight to Stay Ahead
No.7 – Parris Todd (6175 points) and No.8 – Mary Brascia (5850 points) are currently in the mix for qualification, but their spots are not entirely secure. Both players will need strong performances in the remaining events to ensure they remain in the top eight.
Todd has the advantage for now, holding a 325-point lead over Brascia, but with only two events left, that margin could quickly shrink or disappear. Brascia has had some solid results earlier in the year, including a gold medal in April, but she has struggled to maintain that form recently, failing to make it to the podium in recent tournaments.
Lurking: The Challengers Who Are Gaining Ground
- No.9 – Kate Fahey (5250 points)
- No.10 – Judit Castillo (4425 points)
The players in this group are fighting to make a late surge and grab one of the remaining spots. Fahey, in particular, has been on a tear lately, earning two gold medals and several podium finishes since August. Her strong form has made her a legitimate threat to break into the top eight.
However, Fahey faces a tough draw in the final events, where she will have to play through tough competitors like Todd, Jansen, and Buckner in later rounds. Despite the challenging path, Fahey has proven she can beat these players, and a deep run could catapult her into a qualifying spot.
Castillo, on the other hand, faces an uphill battle to catch up, as she has too much ground to make up in the rankings to factor into the qualification race. However, her match-up against Brascia in the Round of 16 in the final events may provide an opportunity to earn crucial points.
The Path to the Finals: Key Battles Ahead
As the players head into the final stretch of the season, every match will be critical in shaping who makes the cut for the Tour Finals. Brascia’s draw is especially tough, facing some of the toughest players in the field in the final events, limiting her potential to earn enough points to move up in the rankings.
In contrast, Fahey faces a challenging but more manageable path, with the potential to face Todd, Jansen, and Buckner in later rounds. If she can continue her strong form, Fahey could see herself in the finals, making a last-minute push for a Tour Finals spot.
The next two tournaments will be crucial for these players to stake their claim to a coveted spot in San Clemente.
News in Brief: Can Kate Fahey Make the Cut for the 2024 Tour Finals
With just two events remaining before the 2024 CIBC Tour Finals, the race for qualification in women’s singles is becoming a thrilling competition. Parris Todd and Mary Brascia currently occupy the final two spots, but Kate Fahey is making a strong late push, with two gold medals since August.
Brascia faces a tough draw in the final events, limiting her chances, while Fahey has a challenging path but has the ability to upset higher-ranked players. With the remaining events offering crucial points, the next few weeks will determine who will advance to the prestigious finals.