Anna Bright and Christian Alshon competing at the IHG Hotels & Resorts Bristol Open presented by Deep Eddy Vodka.
Anna Bright and Christian Alshon are into the final in their first tournament together. PPA Tour

Bright, Alshon outduel Jk. Kawamoto, Martinez Vich to earn Championship Sunday berth

BRISTOL, TN - Anna Bright and Christian Alshon came through a battle against No. 14 seeds Jackie Kawamoto and Jaume Martinez Vich with an 8-11, 11-2, 12-10 victory.

It looked like the No. 2 seeds would comfortably close out the match when they earned a 9-5 advantage in the deciding game, but Kawamoto and Martinez Vich clawed their way back into it and even had a chance to end it at 10-9.

Bright and Alshon kicked into gear after saving that match point, scoring three consecutive points on their next side out to secure the triumph and make the final.

“When it’s Game 3 and everyone’s tight, it honestly comes down to luck and who’s able to stay loose in the big moments,” Bright said of the match’s closing moments. “I feel like Christian and I are definitely still in that process of gelling and figuring things out, but I’m really excited that we were able to win and make the final.”

The first-time partners will face No. 1 seeds Anna Leigh Waters and Ben Johns for the title.