Devidze outlasts Schneemann, captures first PPA gold medal

Will Daughton

Nov 19, 2023 05:35 PM ET

DALLAS, TX - Regardless of who won the women’s singles final at the Hertz Gold Cup, we knew going into it that we would have a first-time gold medalist on the PPA Tour.

That new champion is now known, as Salome Devidze overcame Lacy Schneemann 11-8, 12-10 in the first match on Championship Sunday at Pictona.

This was the first meeting between the two, so the former Georgian tennis player just stuck to playing her game while she tried figure out her opponent.

“You have to focus on yourself and the things that you know you do well,” she shared.

What Devidze does well is counterpunch from the baseline, and that’s exactly what she did to offset Schneemann’s athleticism and heavy topspin forehands.

But just like in her semifinal victory on Thursday, Devidze’s net play proved to be the difference-maker when she needed a side out to regain serve.

And even though Devidze is finishing her season on a high note, she plans to continue working on her net game to become a more versatile singles player in 2024.

“I still have to think a lot when I am up there,” she admitted. “I want to play like I play tennis where I don’t really have to think about it.”