CIBC PPA Tour Finals Day 3 Highlights: It was an unseasonably cold Friday in San Clemente, but the action was anything but chilly. CIBC PPA Tour Finals Day three marked the final round of pool play, and while a few players were mathematically eliminated, most spots in Saturday’s semifinals remained up for grabs. The day featured its fair share of upsets, surprising scores, and, as always, well-played pickleball.
Humberg and Irvine Pull Off the Unexpected
In women’s doubles, the pairing of Mari Humberg and Jessie Irvine made an impact, despite having never played together before. Entering as the eighth seed, the duo delivered an impressive performance, securing their second victory of the tournament by defeating the seasoned team of Lucy Kovalova and Callie Smith.
That win punched their ticket to the semifinals on Saturday. While Irvine continued to play with the steady composure she had shown all week, Humberg brought the power and offensive intensity. Taking on the formidable duo of top-seeded Anna Leigh Waters and Catherine Parenteau.
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The Johns’ Run Comes to an End
In men’s doubles, the highly anticipated showdown between Ben Johns and Collin Johns and the team of JW Johnson and Gabe Tardio was the highlight of the day. Both teams entered the match with a 1-1 record, meaning the winner would move on to the semifinals, while the loser would be sent home.
Johnson and Tardio seized control and delivered a dominant performance, winning in straight games. The elimination of the Johns was a surprising turn of events, but one that had been anticipated in a preview of the tournament. While the Johns remain one of the sport’s best teams, the gap between them and the competition is narrowing rapidly.
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A Rematch on the Horizon
As expected, both Waters/Parenteau and Anna Bright/Rachel Rohrabacher emerged victorious in their respective women’s doubles pools.
Barring an upset in either semifinal, pickleball fans are set for a rematch between these two top pairs. The anticipation for the clash is noticeable, and it’s one match no fan will want to miss.
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McGuffin Proves His Toughness
Tyson McGuffin has had a stellar tournament thus far. He secured a spot in Saturday’s semifinals after defeating Connor Garnett in singles. McGuffin’s momentum didn’t stop there; he and his doubles partner Andrei Daescu delivered one of the most dominant performances of the day, defeating Matt Wright and James Ignatowich 11-0, 11-0.
The rare double pickle win ensured McGuffin/Daescu a place in Saturday’s semifinal matches, further solidifying McGuffin’s status as one of the tournament’s toughest competitors.
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Looking Ahead to Saturday
With the tournament heading into its final stretch, Saturday will feature 10 semifinal matches, all taking place on Championship Court. The players are set to battle it out for a coveted spot in Sunday’s finals.
After three days of high-intensity pickleball, it’s clear that Saturday’s action will be just as thrilling, with the players in San Clemente assured for another unforgettable day on the court.
News in Brief: CIBC PPA Tour Finals Day 3 Highlights
The final day of pool play at the CIBC PPA Tour Finals saw some surprising results, as unseeded Mari Humberg and Jessie Irvine secured a spot in Saturday’s semifinals, while the veteran duo of Ben and Collin Johns were eliminated by JW Johnson and Gabe Tardio.
In women’s doubles, the top-seeded teams of Anna Leigh Waters/Catherine Parenteau and Anna Bright/Rachel Rohrabacher advanced, setting up a much-anticipated rematch. Tyson McGuffin, having already reached the semifinals in singles, paired with Andrei Daescu to deliver an impressive 11-0, 11-0 victory, ensuring a semifinal spot for both.
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