Live updates from Bristol Sportsplex: Mixed Doubles
BRISTOL, TN - It's Mixed Doubles Friday at the IHG Hotels and Resorts Open presented by Deep Eddy Vodka, and I've got all the latest updates from the Volunteer State.
Check back here throughout the day, as this article will be modified as results come in.
You can watch the action for yourself on PickleballTV (starting at 10am CST) and the PPA YouTube.
5:30pm: Bright, Alshon down Jansen, Sock to make semis
There’s another first-time mixed doubles pairing in Bristol that has flown under the radar: Anna Bright and Christian Alshon.
Despite never having competed together before today, Bright and Alshon came in as the No. 2 seeds. They are through to the semifinals without dropping a game and handily beat No. 10 seeds Lea Jansen and Jack Sock 11-6, 11-4 in the quarterfinals.
The tandem seemed to find their groove in their most recent match, with Alshon taking a lot of court—as he usually does in mixed—and Bright still finding ways to be aggressive when given the opportunity.
They will face No. 14 seeds Jackie Kawamoto and Jaume Martinez Vich in the semifinals in a battle of first-time partnerships.
That match has been moved to Saturday morning due to inclement weather.
5:20pm: Kawamoto, Martinez Vich earn semifinal berth
Jackie Kawamoto and Jaume Martinez Vich continued their run in Bristol with a 9-11, 11-4, 11-6 victory over No. 5 seeds Jessie Irvine and Hayden Patriquin.
The pair jumped out to an 8-4 lead in the deciding game thanks to a combination of scrappy defending and crafty attacks off the bounce (especially from the backhand of Martinez Vich) before eventually closing things out comfortably.
All three victories for the No. 14 seeds on Friday have come in three games after dropping the first game in every match. They'll look to continue their winning ways against No. 2 seeds Anna Bright and Christian Alshon in the semifinals.
3:30pm: Play resumes outdoors.
3:00pm: Kawamoto, Martinez Vich continue run with victory over Johnson siblings
Jackie Kawamoto and Jaume Martinez Vich are having a memorable first tournament together, highlighted by a 10-12, 12-10, 11-9 victory over No. 3 seeds Jorja and JW Johnson in the Round of 16.
With the score at 4-4 in the third game, rain forced play indoors and brought with it a break that lasted nearly half an hour.
The Johnsons were the sharper of the two teams out of the break as they gained an 8-5 advantage, but Kawamoto and Martinez Vich stayed in it and eventually came all the way back to clinch the win in what might go down as the match of the tournament.
“We’re finally gelling at this point in the day and riding the high of a new partnership and just having a lot of fun,” Kawamoto said of the of the first-time pairing's run.
The No. 14 seeds will next face No. 5 seeds Jessie Irvine and Hayden Patriquin with a spot in the semifinals on the line.
2:50pm: Play resumes indoors.
2:15pm: Play is suspended again due to rain. Matches moved indoors.
2:00pm: MLP teammates Jansen, Sock dominate Glozman, McGuffin
Lea Jansen and Jack Sock cruised to an 11-5, 11-3 victory over No. 8 seeds Vivian Glozman and Tyson McGuffin in the Round of 16.
This is the second PPA tournament that Jansen and Sock have played together, but they have gotten plenty of time on court together competing for the New York Hustlers in Major League Pickleball.
The tandem looked as strong as ever in their latest win.
“Jack’s great to play with,” Jansen said. “He’s very chaotic, which is actually my preferred game style, and that works well in mixed doubles. He has a lot of putaway power and a great overhead, and that’s kind of what you need in mixed. It allows me to just focus on making the dinks.”
The No. 10 seeds will look to maintain their high level when they face No. 2 seeds Anna Bright and Christian Alshon in the quarterfinals.
1:30pm: Black, Tardio endure wild Game 2 to beat Parenteau, Daescu
Hurricane Tyra Black and Gabriel Tardio ousted No. 7 seeds Catherine Parenteau and Andrei Daescu 11-5, 12-10 to make the quarterfinals in Bristol.
The score line might not look special, but the match’s second game was anything but normal.
Black and Tardio earned a 10-6 advantage and looked poised to secure the victory, but seven match points came and went as Parenteau and Daescu eventually tied the score at ten.
From there, a stalemate of six consecutive scoreless side outs ensued, until Black and Tardio finally reeled off the final two points on serve to close out the match.
The No. 9 seeds will now turn their attention to the quarterfinals, where a matchup against No. 4 seeds Tina Pisnik and Dekel Bar awaits.
12:55pm: Round of 16 action resumes.
12:20pm: Play is suspensed due to rain.
12:10pm: Oshiro, Stone defeat Kawamoto, Rettenmaier in three-game epic
Bobbi Oshiro and Wyatt Stone—who started their time in Bristol in the qualifying draw—are into the Round of 16 after a 9-11, 11-5, 13-11 victory over No. 12 seeds Jade Kawamoto and Travis Rettenmaier.
The pair trailed for most of Game 3, overcoming deficits of 4-7 and 8-10 before their eventual triumph.
Oshiro says that their familiarity with each other’s game and tendencies helped them bring their best in the tight moments.
“We got some reps in rec play before so that we could establish who can take what balls and to develop trust in each other’s shots,” she mentioned. “It was definitely a tough second round, so kudos to Travis and Jade for playing really well. We’re really happy to take this win.”
The No. 43 seeds will battle No. 5 seeds Jessie Irvine and Hayden Patriquin for a spot in the quarterfinals.
11:17am: Stratman, Arnold outlast Buckner, Shick to reach Round of 16
Lauren Stratman and Julian Arnold survived a three-game battle against Brooke Buckner and Collin Shick, emerging with an 8-11, 11-6, 11-7 victory.
The No. 11 seeds found themselves down a game and 1-4, but they were able to fight their way back and eventually take the match to book their spot in the Round of 16.
Stratman and Arnold will take on No. 6 seeds Rachel Rohrabacher and Federico Staksrud with a quarterfinal berth on the line.
11:00am: Kawamoto, Martinez Vich victorious in first match together
Jackie Kawamoto and Jaume Martinez Vich are into the Round of 16 after taking down No. 19 seeds Alix Truong and Quang Duong 5-11, 11-4, 11-0.
This is the first time that the two are playing together, so there was an adjustment period for the pairing in the first game.
After that, though, it was smooth sailing for the No. 14 seeds.
“I had to learn a little bit in the first game and watch [Jackie’s] patterns and just get used to being on court with her,” Martinez Vich explained. “Once I figured out what she does well, it was easier for me to play well, too.”
Kawamoto and Martinez Vich will next face the winner of the match between Jorja and JW Johnson and Dominique Schaefer and Callan Dawson.
10:07am: Late run helps Bouchard, Hovenier advance
Genie Bouchard and Blaine Hovenier erased a 5-10 Game 3 deficit to steal a win against No. 40 seeds Daniel Jansen and Helena Jansen.
The tandem saved three match points en route to a 9-11, 11-6, 13-11 triumph. They'll face No. 5 seeds Jessie Irvine and Hayden Patriquin in the Round of 32.
9:30am: Hoag, Scarpa upset Schneemann, H. Johnson
No. 42 seeds Cass Hoag and Anderson Scarpa defeated No. 18 seeds Lacy Schneemann and Hunter Johnson 11-9, 11-4 to make the Round of 32.
Hoag and Scarpa have pulled off several impressive wins together this season, including one over Tina Pisnik and Dekel Bar at the Selkirk Red Rock Open in April.
They will take on No. 10 seeds Lea Jansen and Jack Sock with a spot in the Round of 16 on the line.
9:26am: Fahey, Y. Johnson ease past Erokhina, Fought
Kate Fahey and Yates Johnson are into the Round of 32 after an 11-3, 11-3 victory over No. 22 seeds Genie Erokhina and Todd Fought.
The No. 44 seeds will next face No. 9 seeds Hurricane Tyra Black and Gabriel Tardio in a matchup that will pit MLP teammates Fahey and Tardio against each other.
Both compete at the Premier level for the St. Louis Shock and comprise one of the squad's two mixed doubles teams.
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