PPA Australia Pickleball Open - Day 2 Wrap Up

Match Highlights

1: Semi Final: Tyson McGuffin / Gabriel Tardio vs Joseph Wild / Zane Navratil

Despite being a new partnership in the PPA world, Tyson McGuffin & Gabriel Tardio were an unstoppable train in the Doubles. The duo didn’t drop a set heading into the Semi-Final, winning against Simon Pilt & Thomas Lashford (11-3/11-3) and an impressive performance against Australia's 4th and 2nd ranked doubles players, Tom Evans and Mitchell Hargreaves (11-1/11-2).

Meanwhile, the Australian-American duo of Joey Wild and Zane Navratil mirrored their success, also reaching the semi-finals undefeated. They handily defeated Nguyen Thang & Tran Tuan Minh (11-4/11-4), Vishal Masand & Frank Ngo (11-6/11-0), and the 5th seeded Maximilian Wild & Dave Bacalla in the quarter-finals (11-4/11-3).

As the top-seeded team, McGuffin and Tardio faced Wild and Navratil in a thrilling semi-final. Wild and Navratil initially took control, establishing a 7-2 lead in the first set. However, McGuffin and Tardio got the upper hand, shifting the momentum and winning the set 11-7 with a display of precision over power.

The second set began more evenly, with both teams playing cautiously into the kitchen. Wild and Navratil then elevated their game, capitalizing on opportunities and securing an 11-5 victory to force a deciding third set.

The crowd was on the edge of their seat watching the final set. Wild and Navratil jumped out to an early 2-point lead, but McGuffin and Tardio responded emphatically. They seized control, winning 11-2 without conceding another point, and advanced to the final.

Ironically, McGuffin and Tardio are set to face each other in Men’s Singles Final, in what has been a remarkably successful tournament for the two.

2: Quarter Final: Tyra Hurricane Black / Allyce Jones vs Roos Van Reek / Kaitlynn Hart 

The atmosphere was electric as the players took the court. Top seeds Tyra Hurricane Black and Allyce Jones, heavy favorites coming into the tournament, had comfortably beat Ela Vakaukamea and Brookie Maasi in straight sets, and the American duo looked sharp from the first serve.

Their opponents, Roos Van Reek and Kaitlynn Hart, faced a tough opening match against the strong duo of Nicola Schoeman and Sarah Burr, ranked 6th and 1st in Australia, respectively. Despite a nervous second set, Van Reek and Hart rallied, overcoming their challenge to win a tight contest 11-5, 11-8.

The match that followed was a nail-biter. Van Reek and Hart unleashed a barrage of powerful shots throughout the match, targeting Jones relentlessly. But the Americans' defense was incredible. The smallest of margins separated the two teams, making every point crucial. "It should have been a final," Hart commented after the match, underscoring the intensity.

Ultimately, Black and Jones prevailed, winning 11-7, 11-5 after a display of incredible skill from both sides.

Despite Van Reek hailing from The Netherlands, and Hart from New Zealand, the Melbourne crowd embraced them. By the second set, chants of "Aussie Aussie Aussie" filled the arena. "It was so much fun…neither of us are Australian but it was so much fun," Hart acknowledged.

Other Results

• Quang Duong and CJ Klinger, the tournament's third seed, enjoyed a stellar run to the gold medal match. They impressively defeated Huss Saleh & Vena Fonokalafi (11-0/11-2), Joshua Chia & Aaron Blitz (11-0/11-0), and, most importantly, Quang’s brother Bao Duong, who was paired with Phuc Huynh as the six seed. Quang and CJ won the game 11-4/11-2.
  
  

• On the women's side, Tyra Hurricane Black & Allyce Jones continued their strong performance after a thrilling quarterfinal, overcoming the all-Australian team of Emilia Schmidt & Danni-Elle Townsend 11-6/11-5.
  
  

• The second-seeded American duo, Lacy Schneemann & Vivian Glozman, also advanced to the gold final. Their victories included wins against Rika Fujiwara & Seina Shima (11-4/11-1), Somer Dalla-Bona & Selina Turulja (11-4/11-9), and the third-seeded pair of Alix Truong & Jessie Irvine (11-7, 11-6).

Best Dressed

Today, A group of Kiwis, sporting a "Where's Wally" theme, won our best-dressed award. Their reason for the elaborate costumes? Simply, "For the vibes."