A day that featured multiple upsets in the women’s singles draw finished with Kate Fahey and Kaitlyn Christian moving on to Championship Sunday.

Fahey, the No. 1 seed this week with Anna Leigh Waters not playing singles, overcame firm resistance from first-time semifinalist Layne Sleeth to win 11-8, 11-3.

She spoke about the challenge of playing against Sleeth, whose athleticism and speed helped her track down balls and extend rallies.

“I felt l like I had to win the point five times,’ Fahey mentioned. “I would hit balls that would typically be winners, and then she would get them back. But not only would she get it back—she would hit a great shot. I’ve never seen anyone that fast.”

This is a strong resurgence from Fahey, whose St. Louis Shock fell to the eventual champion Columbus Sliders at last week’s Major League Pickleball finals in New York City.

The 2025 Most improved Player described what it has taken to rebound in Las Vegas.

“it’s definitely really hard to bounce back after a week like that, but, honestly, it’s good to stay busy,” she said. “It’s good to distract yourself, and it’s honestly good to be right back on the court. I’m super excited to be back on the PPA Tour and really excited to be back in Championship Sunday.”

In the final match of the day at the Las Vegas Convention Center, Christian outlasted No. 3 seed Brooke Buckner by an 11-4, 5-11, 11-3 score line to snap a five-match losing streak against Buckner.

“I’ve lost to Brooke so many times. She really brings the power onto the court. She’s an amazing competitor, and I just really wanted to bring it to her today,” Christian said of the performance. “It’s very different conditions indoors. The ball travels a lot faster, so it really came down to who could smack the ball harder, and I found a way to pull it out.”

Sunday will be Fahey and Christian’s third meeting of the 2025 season. Each player has won once, with Fahey winning their most recent clash at the Mesa Cup 11-5, 11-3 and leading the all-time series 5-2.

Sleeth and Buckner will play for bronze as Sleeth eyes her first PPA medal, also on Sunday.