Jaume Martinez Vich and Jay Devilliers playing pickleball men's doubles.
Jaume Martinez Vich (left) and Jay Devilliers (right) competing at the Veolia Texas Open presented by Proton in McKinney, TX. PPA Tour

Humberg and Rane, Devilliers and Martinez Vich surge into semis as No. 2 seeds fall in doubles

The pairings of Mari Humberg/Milan Rane and Jay Devilliers/Jaume Martinez Vich closed out Quarterfinal Friday in North Texas with upset victories under the Lone Star sunset.

In women’s doubles, Humberg/Rane took down No. 2 seeds Jorja Johnson/Tyra Black by a 4-11, 11-9, 11-5 score line to advance to their first semifinal as a partnership.

 

Humberg spoke afterwards about the impact that the windy conditions in McKinney had on the contest.

“We happened to choose the correct side to start on. I think the wind was a factor today, so we ended on the good side, and I think that was helpful,” she mentioned. “That kind of built our momentum going into Game 3. It’s always so tough, I mean, Jorja and Tyra are not a team that are going to give it to us. You’ve really gotta stay locked in, and it’s never over until it’s over.”

Rane/Humberg will take on No. 4 seeds Parris Todd/Alix Truong on Saturday with a spot in the final up for grabs.

A few minutes later, Devilliers/Martinez Vich ousted the No. 2 seeds on the men’s side, Hayden Patriquin/Christian Alshon, by a stunning 11-6, 12-10 score line.

 

The No. 7 seeds and Atlanta Bouncer teammates faced a game point at 9-10 in the second, but they saved it and went on to close out the contest a few moments later.

“They’re a great team, so I never felt like we had it on the bag,” Devilliers said afterwards. “I was just trying to focus on winning one point at a time and getting closer and closer to the finish line.”

Devilliers/Martinez Vich will look to keep their run going on Saturday when they face No. 4 seeds Andrei Daescu/Federico Staksrud.

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