DAY 2: Atlanta Georgia Open LIVE Blog – MIXED DOUBLES

7:30am Players arriving and in the midst of warmups. A little cooler this morning low 60s, but the suns out and it should warm up quickly.

8:00am

Matches kick off. 8:00 I’m always interested in the playing conditions and how it affects the draw. We got the insight yesterday from a top pro that the recent Acrytech resurfacing has the courts playing really gritty, causing friction on the ball. We’ll see today which team that benefits, or the difference it makes, even on the Dura Fast 40.

9:00

Riley/Catherine are really coalescing early in Atlanta after a quick (11-2,11-3) win vs Rafa Hewett/Sarah Ansboury. Catherine’s topspin dinks were setting up points all match and the defensive style of this duo can be demoralizing for opponents.
We could see Riley/Catherine playing on Sunday.

9:30

Callan Dawson/Irina Tereschenko with a nice W against Adam Stone/Callie Smith! Knocking them out of the main draw. A disappointing result no doubt for Adam after his Gold medal at last weekends APP Cincinnati tournament. Callan, aka “the Dink God” had some analysis after the match. “We just tried to dink a ton, didn’t pick on one person and played traditional pickleball. Next up, Riley and Catherine..

10:30

An intense match on Championship Court 3, as it was a Battle for Wichita supremacy in the third round (Matt/Lucy v Patrick/Lauren). After losing the first game 11-8, Wright and Kovalova found another level to advance to the Semifinals!
Matt let out one of the most expressive “COME ON” shouts I’ve ever heard at one point. While Patrick Smith wondered aloud why the ball seems to be “sailing”. Could be that Electrum pop.

11:00

Michelle Esquivel definitely favoring that right calf as her and Jocelyn Devilliers prepare to take on Jeffrey Warnick/Jessie Irvine in the Quarterfinals.
Jocelyns athleticism and ball track down ability will be key in this match if Michelle feels ginger pushing herself on it.

11:30

An update for Ryan Sherry fans, Ryan isn’t in either of the doubles draws as he’s “coming off a major injury” and “could barely play singles” yesterday.
Speaks to Ryan Sherry’s talent and skill level that he still went 2-2 in the Men’s Pro Singles draw severely hurt.

12:15

Even after their last loss to Patrick Smith/Lauren Stratman, my Team of the day has to be Olivia McMillan/Rob Nunnery for their impressive win against Dekel Bar/Corinne Carr.
A possible up and comer in the women’s pro scene, Olivia or “Olive” works full time in the corporate world and hopes to play more tourneys.
Her and Rob played a lot better than the scoreboard indicated in their match against Ben/Simone as well.
A team to watch.

2:30
Mixed Pro Doubles final is set! Ben Johns/Simone Jardim v Matt Wright/Lucy Kovalova. That’s likely what the sportsbooks would have predicted.

The new format with no backdraw to gold sure hasn’t decreased the intensity of the consolation matches. Players are putting on a show for the fans in Atlanta.

Some hilarious insight on the greatness of Ben Johns overheard from Connor Pardoe, “if Ben Johns played in the pro division with a frying pan, he’d still be top 50”.
This might give new meaning to “the kitchen”