Johns and Tardio's Swift Semifinal Strike Pummels Oncins-Frazier
What's the Score?
The men’s doubles final at Cary Tennis Park will feature a showdown between the top two seeded teams: Ben Johns/Gabe Tardio and Federico Staksrud/Hayden Patriquin. Johns/Tardio advanced with an 11-1, 11-7 victory over No. 8 seeds Eric Oncins/Dylan Frazier. Staksrud/Patriquin overcame a first-game loss to defeat No. 4 seeds Tyson McGuffin/Dekel Bar 4-11, 11-9, 11-4.
Hit it deeper!
Ben Johns and Gabe Tardio displayed a dominant performance in their semifinal match against Eric Oncins and Dylan Frazier. They started the match impressively, taking the first game 11-1 in just over ten minutes, effectively quashing the momentum Oncins/Frazier had built after their quarterfinal victory. Johns emphasized the importance of a strong start against such a formidable team, acknowledging Oncins as a rising talent and Frazier as a top right-side player: “Dylan’s one of the top right-side guys, and Eric is probably the hottest stock out there right now, so I honestly was not surprised to see a deep run,”. He added, “With a team like that, you’ve just got to really start well because obviously they’re playing with energy and momentum and are stoked to be in a semifinal. I felt like we needed to start well, and we did that,”.
While Oncins/Frazier made the second game more competitive, it wasn’t enough to derail Johns/Tardio, who closed out the match with an 11-7 victory, maintaining their undefeated record in semifinals as a partnership (3-0). Tardio, who also reached the men’s singles final, credited the coaching and experience of his doubles partners, Ben Johns and Jessie Irvine, for his recent success: “It means a lot and helps a lot. Ben and Jessie have been playing pickleball for a long time, so they definitely have a lot of experience,”. He continued, “I try to listen to everything they tell me and apply that to my game, and it’s working out perfectly,”.
In the second men’s doubles semifinal, the top-seeded team of Federico Staksrud and Hayden Patriquin faced a tough challenge from No. 4 seeds Tyson McGuffin and Dekel Bar. After dropping the first game 4-11 and trailing 3-7 in the second, Staksrud/Patriquin demonstrated resilience, battling back to win the second game 11-9 and force a decisive third game. They then cruised to an 11-4 victory in the final game, securing their place in their second final in as many weeks.
This semifinal was Staksrud’s third match of the day, having also competed in the men’s singles and mixed doubles semifinals, both of which resulted in losses. Despite the earlier setbacks, he was relieved to finish the day with a win. “I didn’t play my best today, but that’s how sports works. Sometimes you have off days, and you have to push through,” he explained. He also highlighted the unique demands of pickleball, where players often compete in all three divisions. Staksrud gave significant credit to his partner, Hayden Patriquin, for keeping him focused and positive throughout the day despite his earlier defeats: “I have to give kudos to Hayden. I’ve been playing with him for almost a year now, and it’s honestly unbelievable how much he has grown as a player,”. Staksrud continued his praise, stating, “He’s literally more mature than I am—he picks me and keeps me positive. He’s gonna be number one very soon,”.
The World Pickleball Verdict
The upcoming men's doubles final between the top two seeds, Johns/Tardio and Staksrud/Patriquin, is a highly anticipated clash of top-tier talent. Johns and Tardio's dominant semifinal performance underscores their strong partnership and tactical prowess. Tardio's acknowledgment of the influence of Johns and Irvine on his game highlights the collaborative nature of professional pickleball development. Staksrud and Patriquin's comeback victory after a difficult start to their match and a challenging day for Staksrud showcases their resilience and the strength of their partnership. Staksrud's high praise for Patriquin's growth and maturity speaks volumes about their dynamic as a team. This final promises to be a thrilling encounter between two of the strongest men's doubles teams on the tour, with potential implications for rankings and future tournament success.