PHOENIX, AZ - Just under a month ago at the PPA Masters, the new pairing of Tyson McGuffin and Dekel Bar played Augie Ge and Craig Johnson in their first match since announcing their 2024 partnership.

Despite a slow start, they rallied in the second and third games to start their partnership with a win.

On Saturday at the Desert Ridge Open, the No. 5 seeds stared down the same opponents in the Round of 16.

They wanted to get it done in two games, and that’s exactly what they did with an 11-8, 11-5 victory.

One difference-maker for the big-serving pair was synergy, with McGuffin’s well=placed dinks from the right side creating erne opportunities for the 6’3’’ Bar to use his length on the left.

In McGuffin’s eyes, it’s the pair’s versatility and ability to change patterns that makes them dangerous.

“I think a big thing for us is moderation and balance,” he told PickleballTV’s Michelle McMahon. “We can win in a wide variety of ways, and we’re still looking to find out best stuff.”

Up next for McGuffin and Bar is a matchup against No. 3 seeds James Ignatowich and Matt Wright in the quarterfinals.