Kaitlyn Christian hits a backhand volley.
Kaitlyn Christian will go for her second title in as many weeks on Championship Sunday. PPA Tour Australia

Christian outlasts Fahey, makes fourth straight women’s singles final

Kaitlyn Christian earned her ticket to Championship Sunday with a gutsy 11-7, 1-11, 11-5 victory over No. 4 seed Kate Fahey underneath a picturesque sunset at Tucson Racquet and Fitness Club.

 

This win sends Christian into her fourth consecutive women’s singles final on the PPA Tour, a streak that began with her maiden title in Daytona back in December.

She says that this run—which has netted her two gold medals and a silver—is the result of an intentional effort to add more variety into her game.

“I’ve been working pretty hard at trying to diversify my game a little bit and not just be someone who rams the net,” she explained. “I’ve been trying to work a lot on my backcourt game, change up the serve a little bit, and just develop more as an all-around player.”

What makes Thursday’s run especially impressive is the fact that, just five days ago, Christian was playing for (and eventually winning) a women’s singles title on the other side of the world at the Proton Australia Pickleball Open.

She has certainly outperformed her expectations coming into this tournament.

“My goal today was honestly just to stay awake,” she joked. “I’ve been taking naps after all my matches, so I’m truly thrilled to be able to pull away with this.”

Christian will look to earn her second title in as many weeks in the final, where she’ll face either Brooke Buckner or Parris Todd.