James Ignatowich and CJ Klinger Punch Ticket to Final: James Ignatowich and CJ Klinger battled through a tough contest to secure a spot in the men’s doubles gold medal match, defeating the No. 11 seeds Julian Arnold and Blaine Hovenier with a hard-fought 11-9, 8-11, 11-4 victory.
A Close Contest
The match was a tight affair, with both teams exchanging victories in the first two games, each by nearly identical scores. However, the No. 7 seeds Ignatowich and Klinger found their rhythm in the third game, pulling away with the final five points to seal the match.
Klinger’s Milestone
For Klinger, the win marks a significant milestone—his first-ever final appearance on the PPA Tour. The 18-year-old expressed gratitude for the unwavering support of his father, who accompanies him to every tournament.
“He’s just been so supportive and always keeps me locked in,” Klinger shared. “It’s amazing to have a dad like that.”
Championship Sunday Awaits
Next up for Ignatowich and Klinger are the top seeds, Federico Staksrud and Gabe Tardio, in the gold medal match. Ignatowich, reflecting on the formidable challenge ahead, acknowledged the strength of the opposing team.
“That’s probably one of the best teams you could make,” Ignatowich said. “I mean, Gabe is maybe the best right-side guy in the game outside of Dylan Frazier, and it’s just a really good team. I think we’re a matchup that could maybe give them some trouble, though. With CJ’s hands, anything is possible.”
Arnold and Hovenier’s Next Challenge
Despite the loss, Arnold and Hovenier are not out of contention for a medal. They will face Pablo Tellez and Andrei Daescu in the bronze medal match, with Hovenier looking to secure his first career podium finish.
News in Brief: James Ignatowich and CJ Klinger Punch Ticket to Final
James Ignatowich and CJ Klinger advanced to the men’s doubles gold medal match with an 11-9, 8-11, 11-4 victory over Julian Arnold and Blaine Hovenier. Klinger credited his father for his support, while Ignatowich previewed a tough match against top seeds Federico Staksrud and Gabe Tardio. Arnold and Hovenier will play for bronze against Pablo Tellez and Andrei Daescu.