Anna Bright and Rachel Rohrabacher Seal Title: In a remarkable display of resilience and strategy, Anna Bright and Rachel Rohrabacher won in an epic five-game battle, clinching their eighth women’s doubles title of 2024 at the Veolia Milwaukee Open. The top-seeded duo fought off a determined challenge from the No. 4 seeds, Jackie and Jade Kawamoto, winning 4-11, 11-6, 11-7, 10-12, 11-7.
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Match Overview: A Battle of Nerves and Strategy
The match, which could have ended in four games, saw Bright and Rohrabacher facing a 10-8 deficit in the fourth. But the Kawamoto sisters, known for their crafty play, refused to buckle. They capitalized on their next service possession, reeling off four consecutive points to force a decisive fifth game.
With momentum swinging in their favor, the Kawamotos surged to a 4-2 lead in the final game. However, Rohrabacher, battling illness, took a brief medical timeout, providing her and Bright with a much-needed moment to regroup.
When play resumed, it was all Bright and Rohrabacher. They rallied back with a 9-2 run, ultimately securing a hard-fought victory that showed their mental toughness and teamwork.
Tactical Adjustments Lead to Victory
One of the critical elements that helped Bright and Rohrabacher turn the tide was Bright’s tactical use of offensive lobs.
By targeting the Kawamotos’ position near the kitchen line, Bright forced them to backpedal, giving herself and Rohrabacher more room to move in long, grueling rallies. This strategy proved instrumental in the late stages of the match.
“[Jackie and Jade] are so annoying to play. They’re so crafty, and that makes it a huge challenge. They don’t play together as much as we do, and then they come out and push us to the very brink.” – (Anna Bright)
A Confident Pair Heading Into the PPA Finals
This victory marks the second consecutive title for Bright and Rohrabacher, who also captured gold at the Lapiplasty Pickleball World Championships in Dallas the previous week. Their back-to-back successes provide a huge confidence boost heading into the CIBC PPA Tour Finals in early December.
“I think it just shows the work that we’ve put in over the course of the year. I’m really proud of us for how strong we’ve finished the regular season.” – (Anna Bright)
Later on Sunday, Bright was back in action at the Baird Center, where she and partner Dylan Frazier would take on Jessie Irvine and Gabe Tardio in the mixed doubles final.
News in Brief: Anna Bright and Rachel Rohrabacher Seal Title
Anna Bright and Rachel Rohrabacher captured their eighth women’s doubles title of 2024 with a dramatic five-game victory over Jackie Kawamoto and Jade Kawamoto at the Veolia Milwaukee Open.
After dropping a tight fourth game, Bright and Rohrabacher rallied from a 4-2 deficit in the fifth to win 4-11, 11-6, 11-7, 10-12, 11-7. Their victory follows a gold medal at the Lapiplasty Pickleball World Championships, setting them up for a strong finish at the CIBC PPA Tour Finals in December.
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