
Bacalla’s upset highlights Day 1 of Las Vegas Pickleball Cup
Action is underway at the Fontainebleau Las Vegas, and so are the upsets.
No. 50 seed Dave Bacalla defeated No. 15 seed Hayden Patriquin 7-11, 11-7, 11-8 in the first round of men’s singles in a back-and-forth affair.
Baccala came out hot and gained a 7-1 lead in the first game, but Patriquin went on to score the next ten points to come back and take it.
That didn’t deter Bacalla, though, as he won Game 2 to even the match and send it to Game 3.
The deciding game was tight throughout, and players remained tied at 8-8 for six consecutive side-outs.
Bacalla scored a quick two points after calling a timeout and would go on to close out the match at the fourth time of asking.
The former Valparaiso University tennis standout was introduced to pickleball in 2023 by his wife Danielle, and he decided to pursue a pro career earlier this year.
A win like this means a lot for the rising pro.
“It’s a really, really big win for me,” he said. “I’m still new to the sport, but it’s a big win for my confidence moving forward.”
Bacalla will face No. 19 seed Gabriel Tardio in the Round of 32 on Wednesday.
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