Fahey Fights Off Devidze, Sets Up Todd Showdown for North Carolina Singles Crown
What's the Score? Kate Fahey, the No. 2 seed, will face No. 6 seed Parris Todd in the women’s singles final at Cary Tennis Park. Fahey secured her spot by defeating No. 8 seed Salome Devidze 11-9, 11-4. Todd overcame a slow start to defeat No. 5 seed Lea Jansen 4-11, 11-1, 11-7.
Hit it deeper! Kate Fahey started her semifinal match against Salome Devidze strongly, taking an early 7-2 lead in the first game. However, Devidze mounted a comeback, eventually gaining a 9-8 advantage. Fahey then took a crucial timeout, after which she scored three consecutive points to clinch the first game 11-9. Riding this momentum, Fahey continued her strong play in the second game, expertly using crosscourt rallies and moving to the kitchen line to establish a 6-1 lead. Although Devidze made another attempt to rally, bringing the score to 4-6, an impressive running forehand winner from Fahey shifted the momentum back, allowing her to close out the second game 11-4 and secure her place in the final.
Fahey acknowledged the challenge posed by Devidze, noting, “Salome is a really tough opponent. She hits some incredible shots, and even when you’re winning by a lot, she can always come back,”. She credited the key point in the second game for boosting her confidence, saying, “That shot really gave me the confidence to keep going for my shots, and I think I finished that match really strong,”.
In the other women’s singles semifinal, Parris Todd faced Lea Jansen. Todd had a slow start, losing the first game decisively 4-11. However, she mounted a remarkable comeback in the second game, dominating Jansen with an 11-1 victory, leveling the match. The deciding third game saw Jansen take an early 7-1 lead. Despite this significant deficit, Todd, benefiting from ending the contest on the ‘good’ side of the court, went on an incredible run, scoring the final ten points to win the game 11-7 and secure her spot in the final after just over an hour of play.
Todd highlighted the importance of court sides in her victory, stating, “I felt like sides were playing a big role in this match, and I’m glad that I was able to choose the correct side,”. She added, “I felt like I started on the bad side, so I knew that if I just weathered the storm that I’d be able to come back and that I would end the third game on the good side,”. This win marks Todd’s second consecutive women’s singles final appearance on the PPA Tour. Interestingly, Todd was also scheduled to compete in the women’s doubles semifinals later the same day, partnering with Lacy Schneemann against the formidable duo of Anna Leigh Waters and Catherine Parenteau.
The upcoming final between Fahey and Todd marks their first encounter in 2025, with a gold medal on the line. Both players demonstrated resilience and skill in their respective semifinals, setting the stage for an exciting championship match.
The World Pickleball Verdict The women's singles final between Kate Fahey and Parris Todd promises to be a compelling match. Fahey's consistent performance and ability to close out tight games, even after facing a comeback from Devidze, showcase her mental toughness and skill. Todd's remarkable recovery after a slow start against Jansen, particularly her dominant second and third game performance, highlights her fighting spirit and strategic awareness. The emphasis Todd placed on the court sides adds an interesting tactical dimension to her victory. With both players having demonstrated strong semifinal performances, their first meeting of the year in the final will be a highly anticipated clash of different playing styles and momentum. This final could be a significant indicator of the evolving competitive landscape in women's professional pickleball.