Buckner, Fahey to meet for women’s singles title
OVERLAND PARK, KS - Even though Friday is usually mixed doubles day at PPA Opens, action on Humana Championship Court kicked off with the women’s singles semifinals.
Brooke Buckner and Kate Fahey triumphed in those contests to set an enticing Championship Sunday matchup.
Buckner moved past No. 5 seed Kaitlyn Christian 11-3, 11-6 in a dominant performance. After falling behind 0-3 in the first game, she scored the match’s next 17 points to close it out in two games.
The No. 3 seed was able to offset Christian’s skill at the kitchen line by keeping her back with unrelenting depth on her drives.
“[Kaitlyn’s] one of the most athletic people out here, so I knew I had to be more aggressive and keep the ball deep so I could avoid her coming forward before I did,” she explained.
Buckner will have a chance to earn her second title of the year on Championship Sunday.
Fahey defeated fellow qualifier Mari Humberg 11-4, 11-5 in the second semifinal.
The No. 31 seed was locked in on the forehand wing and impressed with her ability to turn Humberg’s slice-heavy approach shots into blistering passing shots of her own from the baseline.
Fahey has had quite the run in Kansas City, highlighted by a her three-game victory over No. 2 seed Lea Jansen in the Round of 32.
“I’ve had some incredible opponents, so I’m really happy with my performance and am looking forward to Sunday,” she said.
With this win, Fahey has already secured her first PPA singles medal; she’ll look to make it a gold with another marquee victory.
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