Jade and Jackie Kawamoto competing at the Veolia Lakeland Open presented by Six Zero.
Jade Kawamoto and Jackie Kawamoto competing at the Veolia Lakeland Open presented by Six Zero. PPA Tour

Kawamotos outlast Johnson, Rohrabacher in back-and-forth affair

Friday’s final bout at Beerman Family Tennis center was a war of comebacks.

Jackie Kawamoto/Jade Kawamoto prevailed over Jorja Johnson/Rachel Rohrabacher by a 12-10, 7-11, 11-6 score line, but every game was its own battle with its own momentum swings and comebacks.

ADVERTISEMENT

In Game 1, the sisters raced out to a 10-1 lead before Johnson/Rohrabacher brought things all the way back to 10-10. Unphased, the Kawamotos regrouped and went on to convert their ninth game point opportunity.

 

It was Johnson/Rohrabacher who struck first in the second, getting up 9-1 before the Kawamotos brought it to 7-9. Like in Game 1, the comeback effort wasn’t enough as Johnson/Rohrabacher took it to even the match.

See what I mean?

The back-and-forth nature of the contest continued into the decider, where the Kamamotos got to the side switch up 6-1 before Johnson/Rohrabacher pulled within two at 6-8. Once again undeterred by the scoreboard pressure, the Kawamotos reeled off another three in a row to triumph after over an hour on court.

The No. 5 seeds are now into the semifinals, where they will continue their quest for a second consecutive title together when they face No. 2 seeds Tyra Black/Parris Todd on Saturday.