Patriquin, Tellez shock Johns bros in three-game thriller
SAN CLEMENTE, CA - Hayden Patriquin’s Friday was already going pretty well after he and Vivian Glozman took out Lea Jansen and Riley Newman in mixed doubles, but it got a whole lot better after his men’s doubles match.
He and Pablo Tellez took down top-seeded Ben and Collin Johns 8-11, 11-3, 13-11 in what might go down as the match of the year on the PPA Tour.
After the teams split the first two games, Patriquin and Tellez jumped out to a 5-0 lead in Game 3. They continued their strong play and extended the lead to 9-3, and later to 10-5.
As expected, the Johns brothers clawed their all the way back into it, saving five match points before earning a match point for themselves at 11-10, thanks to some incredible resets and well-timed net chords.
But Patriquin and Tellez weren’t finished yet.
After seeing their once sizeable lead disappear, they held their nerve and saved two match points before reeling off three consecutive points to close out the match and put a bow on what has been a career day for Patriquin.
“The Johns don’t lose, so it’s nice to finally beat them,” joked the 18-year-old. “I’m like 1-45 now.”
The moment of triumph also served as a moment for Tellez to reflect on his gratitude for the sport and where it has taken him.
“Honestly, pickleball has changed my life,” he shared. “I’m so grateful to be able to do this.”
It was all good vibes after the first men’s doubles match of the day on Humana Championship Court.
The No. 5 seeds will face the winner of the match featuring Federico Staksrud and Matt Wright against Julian Arnold and Jack Munro in the semifinals.
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