PPA Texas Open: Preview

CIBC Texas Open

The Texas Open finds itself at a new location this year: moving north from the Oasis in Rockwall to the Courts of McKinney (but still in the Dallas area, PPA Tour’s home base). Texas Open is a traditional draw, with main draws kicking off with singles on Thursday, mixed on Friday, and gender doubles on Saturday. Broadcast starting on PBTV at 12 p.m. ET. each day.

Storylines that are making waves:

• Strong winds are forecasted for Friday, with the area expecting 20+ mph sustained winds most of the day, and gusts up to 45 mph. We saw wind as a major factor for some upsets in Cape Coral last week; perhaps we’ll see that again this week?

• Andrei Daescu is on a major roll, having won gold in men’s doubles in 4 tournaments this year, with different partners (with Ben in Cape Coral, with Christian in Mesa and in Tucson, and with CJ Klinger in Daytona Beach. This week he plays with Dylan Frazier, and they have the #3 seed.

• Will paddles play a big role in this week’s outcome? It seems Joola players consistently see big results, and with the Joola IV series just released, the power-paddle conversation may reach a fever pitch.

• Don’t miss R32 and R16 if you want to see exciting matches and potential for upsets. Once it gets to QF/Semis, it becomes a bit more predictable.

What to watch in each bracket:

Women’s Singles

• Anna Leigh. That’s it, that’s the storyline.

• Nipping at ALW’s heels are Kaitlyn Christian, Brooke Buckner, and Kate Fahey who have all battled for medals with one another. When ALW isn’t playing, it’s Kaitlyn who usually captures the gold. But with this group, it’s kinda anyone’s silver for the taking.

• Sam Parker, a DFW local, notoriously knocked off Brooke Buckner at Worlds last fall. In her corner of the bracket sits Kate Fahey, Genie Bouchard, and Mary Brascia. Any of these matchups will prove riveting to watch.

Men’s Singles

• Tyler is playing Anderson Scarpa right out the gate, with Christian Alshon (7) to the winner.

• Max Freeman, who had a strong run in Mesa, faces Jay Devilliers in the opening round. Can he repeat the magic?

• John Lucien Goins, who had the ultimate Cinderella story in Cape Coral (directly knocked off Ben Johns, won bronze, AND secured himself a PPA contract), could make another upsetting run. Obstacles in his path: Tardio, Hunter Johnson, Frazier.

• Other than these potentials for some early-round upsets, it’s pretty likely it’ll come down to Ben, Fed, Connor, or Hunter.

Mixed Doubles

• In a new partnership, Kate Fahey & Noe Khlif could face Ben & ALW in the 2nd round, which will be a really fun matchup to watch.

• Team Proton Andrei & Meghan Dizon are teaming up and will be a tough partnership to beat. But, they will need to get through AB & Hayden in the quarters, should they make it that far.

• “Aww, cute” is Jimmy’s review of Anna Bright & Big H playing in this event. Will their chemistry carryover onto the court?

• How long will the Tyson & Lacy Schneemann partnership last? While they haven’t seen big results in the last few tournaments, they do have a strong history together. Given the field, though, they still may be each other’s best option.

• Since Christian Alshon is partnering more consistently with Catherine, it left his previous partner Hurricane Tyra Black shopping for a partner. This event, she is playing with Jaume Martinez Vich.

Women’s Doubles

• Waters & Parenteau and The Girlies Anna Bright & Rachel Rohrabacher have faced each other in finals TEN times - going for lucky #11. The two teams went 5 games in Cape Coral, and we expect it to be every bit as close as it always is.

• Etta Tuionetoa has been partner hopping a bit - this event, she’s playing with fellow Utahan Callie Jo Smith.

• Hurricane Tyra & Parris Todd won bronze in Tucson, and Tyra has seen the medal stand numerous times this year with Allyce (in Cape Coral and Australia), and Jorja (in Daytona Beach and at the Masters). At the 3 seed, Tyra and Parris have a strong chance to medal again. Maybe they’ll pull an upset over AB/RR?

• Las Vegas Night Owls teammates Zoey Wang & Brooke Buckner partner again, and are easily on their way to becoming a top 5 partnership.

Men’s Doubles

• Christian & Fed are coming in at the #1 seed, with Ben & Gabe returning to their partnership at #2.

• How many eye-rolls will Max Freeman get, partnering with Riley Newman? Jimmy pointed out in this week’s pod that Riley was a great partner to Dylan last week. Maybe he’s a little more grounded now?

• For pure entertainment, be sure to watch Ryan Sherry & Sam Querry play together.

• CJ & JW are pairing up again, after winning bronze in Cape Coral. They’re in the same corner of the bracket as Fed & Christian, so it’s finals or bust.

• Bao Duong is making another go at the pro bracket, partnering with Marshall Brown. It can’t be an accident (right?) that if they win their first match, they’ll immediately face brother Quang and his partner Tyson McGuffin.

• After taking a small break, Tyler & CG are back together, and have a decent draw to quarters, where the could either meet Jay & Noe or Pablo & Hayden. But they’ll have to pass Matt Wright & Dekel Bar first.

Episode 130: Cape Coral recap & TX Open preview

Episode 129: MLP Draft review

Due to embargoed trade info, and Jimmy trying to avoid a fine, this pod was delayed several days, but we wanted to get it out to you anyway!