Rio Newcombe hits a pickleball backhand.
Rio Newcombe competing at the Veolia LA Open presented by Deep Eddy Vodka. PPA Tour

Newcombe stuns Martinez Vich in three-game thriller

ST. GEORGE, UT - Rio Newcombe is into the Round of 16 at the Selkirk Red Rock Open after an 11-6, 5-11, 13-11 victory over No. 7 seed Jaume Martinez Vich.

The former collegiate golfer at the University of Colorado-Colorado Springs pulled off an improbable comeback after trailing 5-10 in Game 3 to steal the victory.

“I feel like the work is actually now starting to pay off, which is awesome,” he shared.

‘The work’ Newcombe refers to is the time he spends practicing in his home state of Arizona alongside other rising pickleball pros, including Augie Ge, Caden Nemoff, and Jackson Ayotte.

“I train pretty much every day now,” he revealed. “I’ve gotta thank those guys for helping me out.”

The No. 36 seed will next face No. 12 seed Collin Shick with a spot in the quarterfinals on the line.

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