It was another beautiful day in Atlanta. It was Round of 32 action, in all five pro events.

1. A good day for high seeds 

 

Chalk ruled the day, with the higher seed winning 90% of the matches, except in men’s singles. Men’s singles remains one of the toughest events to predict. Half of the men’s singles matches were won on Wednesday by the lower seed. #50 Grayson Goldin is the lowest seed remaining in the tournament, earning him the right to play #2 Ben Johns in the Round of 16.

 

 

 

In women’s singles, #41 Elina Geut defeated #9 Lacy Schneemann in a thriller. The scores were 13-11, 2-11, 12-10. Geut moves on to the Round of 16 and a matchup with #5 Salome Devidze.

 

 

On Tuesday, Jack Sock suffered a Round of 64 loss in singles. Wednesday was no better. Partnered with Collin Shick, Sock lost in the Round of 32 in men’s doubles, and he lost in the Round of 32 in mixed doubles, paired with Jackie Kawamoto. While Sock remains perhaps the most entertaining player on tour, his results are unfortunately regressing. Ironically, his men’s doubles loss was to #15 Travis Rettenmeier and Sock’s fellow tennis pro convert Donald Young. Young is starting to have more success on the PPA tour. Could Young and not Sock prove to be the better pickleball pro?

 

 

 

Thursday is the Round of 16 in all five events. The draws are peppered with top level matches. Here’s one from each event that will be a great match to watch. In men’s doubles, #8 Christian Alshon/Riley Newman will take on #9 Tyler Loong/Connor Garnett. This is a rematch from last week’s semifinal in Las Vegas. The Vegas match was a great one and the rematch is must see pickleball. In women’s doubles, #2 Anna Bright/Rachel Rohrabacher will take on #16 Kate Fahey/Lina Padegimaite. Bright and Fahey are MLP teammates, and now will have to face off against each other. In mixed doubles, #6 Tina Pisnik/Dekel Bar will take on #12 Meghan Dizon/Andrei Daescu. Both of these teams are capable of making the final, so this Round of 16 match will feature top level play. In women’s singles, #7 Parris Todd will play #11 Kate Fahey. Fahey has made two finals in a row. To make a third, she will have to beat a new, tough opponent each day. Finally, in men’s singles, #2 Ben Johns plays #50 Grayson Goldin. Do not let Goldin’s #50 seed fool you; he is an excellent singles player. Goldin’s powerful style is the type that often gives Johns trouble. Do not be surprised if Goldin gives Johns all he can handle (and maybe more).

 

Thursday may be the Round of 16, but the players are all medal round contenders. Many of these matches will feature winners and medalists from other tournaments.

The CIBC Atlanta Slam presented by Vizzy is must-see pickleball.

 

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