Three out of the four mixed doubles quarterfinals on Friday went to three games. After that, the first semifinal match also went to three games.

It was only fitting then, that the day’s final match at the Baird Center went three games as well. In that contest, Jessie Irvine/Gabe Tardio emerged with a 12-10, 7-11, 12-10 victory over No. 6 seeds Meghan Dizon/Andrei Daescu.

Similar to the first semifinal, this bout demonstrated just how difficult it can be to close out games at the top of the sport.

In the opening game, Irvine/Tardio watched as an 8-1 lead turned in to a 9-10 deficit. After saving two game points, however, they stormed back to take Game 1 to get on the board first.

The No. 3 seeds narrowly avoided another collapse in the deciding game, as their 8-3 advantage quickly became an 8-9 deficit. Like they did in Game 1, they regained their form and closed out the match at the sixth time of asking.

Tardio was quick to applaud Irvine for her steady play throughout the tense affair.

“Jessie was carrying me in this match. She was awesome, and I’m super excited to be in the final,” he said.

Irvine/Tardio will take on top seeds Anna Bright/Dylan Frazier for the mixed doubles crown. That match will also have massive implications for who qualifies for the CIBC PPA Tour Finals, set to run Dec. 4-8 in San Clemente, CA.

With a win on Sunday, Irvine will overtake Rachel Rohrabacher for the final qualifying spot in mixed doubles.

On the men’s side, Tardio would sneak into the final spot if he/Irvine win and if Hayden Patriquin/Tyra Black lose to Dizon/Daescu in the bronze medal match.

There will be more than just titles on the line this weekend.