Augie Ge hits a backhand.
Augie Ge and Hurricane Tyra Black have impressed in their first tournament together.  PPA Tour

Black, Ge continue run to set semifinal clash with Waters and Johns

PHOENIX, AZ - Hurricane Tyra Black and Augustus (Augie) Ge came into Desert Ridge as the No. 21 seeds, but they’ve outplayed that position by a wide margin throughout Friday.

That was true for the lefty-righty combo going into their quarterfinal match against Lucy Kovalova and Matt Wright, but it became even more apparent as they took on the No. 7 seeds.

Black and Ge got off to a hot start against the tour veterans and took Game 1 11-5 behind the heavy forehands of Ge.

Kovalova and Wright showed why they’re one of the top seeds in Game 2 and evened the match with an 11-4 response.

But the first-time pairing would not be denied their chance at a semifinal, and the tandem reset before the final game and again cruised to an 11-5 victory.

Ge took a moment to reflect on the day that has seen the tandem earn wins against the bracket’s No. 4 and No. 7 seeded teams.

“It’s unbelievable,” Ge told PickleballTV’s Dave Fleming. “I knew playing with Tyra that it was possible today, but the fact that it’s happened now just feels really, really good.”

To continue the run and make it to Championship Sunday, Ge and Black will have to beat No. 1 seeds Anna Leigh Waters and Ben Johns, who have been pushed to three games in both their Round of 16 and quarterfinal matches.