Genie Bouchard played in eight WTA women’s singles finals during her illustrious tennis career during which she achieved a career-high ranking of No. 5 in the world.

After winning three singles matches on Thursday, she’s into her first career PPA final.

The Canadian’s final triumph came against No. 3 seed Lea Jansen, who she beat 11-5, 11-8 in the day’s final contest on Humana Championship Court.

With each pro using a wooden paddle this week in Sacramento, Bouchard made it a point of emphasis to get up to the kitchen line early and often.

“I think there’s more of an advantage at the kitchen line with the wooden paddle,” she explained afterwards. “I find it a little bit harder to pass with, so that was my thought there.”

This result sets a new career-best finish for Bouchard, whose previous best was a run to the semifinals last October in Las Vegas.

“It’s so special. I’ve wanted to make a final ever since I started playing pickleball, and I’m so excited to be in my first one,” she said.

Standing in between Bouchard and her first career PPA title is top-seeded Kate Fahey, who defeated No. 4 seed Mary Brascia 6-11, 11-5, 11-0 in the other semifinal.

Brascia came out and played a very strong opening game, but Fahey turned the tide in the second and went on to dominate the decider by way of a pickle to make her third straight women’s singles final.

“Mary’s always really tough. I think she was dictating for the most part in that first game. She’s got great volleys, and so I think in the second game I had to adjust a little bit. I was the one who came in more,” Fahey said of the performance.

Sunday will be the second-ever meeting between Fahey and Bouchard. Fahey won their lone bout in 2024 in three games, so Bouchard will look to avenge that loss as she pursues her first career PPA gold medal on Sunday.