LAKEVILLE, MN - We knew going into the men’s doubles final that there would be at least one first-time gold medalist.

We just didn’t know whether it would be Christian Alshon or Connor Garnett.

After Alshon and partner Thomas Wilson’s 11-2, 10-12, 11-9, 11-2 victory over Garnett and partner Tyler Loong, it’s Alshon who has earned his first pro gold medal.

The No. 3 seeds got off to a strong start in Game 1 behind their drive-and-crash strategy that worked for them all day Saturday.

But Garnett and Loong dialed up their own aggression on their drives to take Game 2 and even held the lead for most of Game 3.

A key adjustment on the side of Wilson and Alshon to start dropping more thirds instead of driving proved to be crucial as they rallied to take Games 3 and 4 for the title.

“It was a little surprising. I think we lost the drive-and-crash battle fair and square,” Wilson explained. “Tyler and Connor’s drives were amazing, so we had to slow it down a bit in that final game.”

Wilson will have a chance for his second gold medal of the day in the mixed doubles final where he and Vivienne David will take on Rachel Rohrabacher and Federico Staksrud.