Lange and Pei Face Bronze After Munro-Fudge Halt Fort Lauderdale Mixed Doubles Run
What's the Score?
The mixed doubles team of Erik Lange and Pei were defeated in their semifinal match at the 2025 APP Fort Lauderdale Major on Friday, April 4th. Despite a strong run in the tournament, they lost to Jack Munro and Megan Fudge. Lange and Pei will now compete for the bronze medal on Sunday, April 6th.
Hit it deeper!
Erik Lange and Pei faced a formidable challenge in Jack Munro and Megan Fudge during their semifinal encounter at the APP Fort Lauderdale Major. Lange acknowledged the strength and chemistry of their opponents, stating, “Jack and Megan are a very disciplined team, with a lot of chemistry. They’re a very good mixed doubles team”. He noted their difficulty in implementing their strategy against Munro and Fudge, specifically highlighting Munro’s dominance in the middle of the court: “Jack in particular took over the middle,” Lange explained. He felt that their opponents anticipated their moves effectively, hindering their execution: “They seemed to know what we wanted to do, and we couldn’t execute”.
Although Lange and Pei began to adjust their strategy later in the match, they had already fallen too far behind to recover. Despite the semifinal loss, Lange maintained a positive outlook. “I’m still very satisfied with the day, and we’re gonna fight for a bronze medal,” he affirmed. A bronze medal in mixed doubles would be a significant personal achievement for Lange, as he stated, “I’ve never had a mixed doubles medal at the pro level, so this is still very important to me,” even humorously adding, “I would trade a bronze mixed for a first-round men’s loss any day of the week. (Sorry, Max!)”.
Lange praised his partner Pei’s performance and positive attitude throughout the day, even as they grew tired towards the end of their matches. “Excellent day with Pei, her energy was great. We got tired there towards the end, but fantastic day and looking forward to gender doubles tomorrow, and then the bronze medal match on Sunday,” he said.
Their journey to the semifinals included a strong three-game victory in the quarterfinals, where they finished with an impressive 11-2 score in the final game. Lange credited the support of friends in the crowd for helping him push through the heat and wind during that match, specifically mentioning his friend Yana’s encouraging voice. He also lauded Pei for maintaining high energy levels despite the challenging conditions.
Earlier in the day, Lange and Pei faced the fourth-seeded pair of Susannah and Brandon in their first match. After losing the first game 11-8 due to a let cord, they rallied back with renewed energy, which Lange attributed to Pei’s enthusiasm and engagement. He felt compelled to match her intensity, which resulted in crucial serves that shifted the momentum in their favor, leading to a convincing win in the third game. Lange expressed confidence in their fresh partnership, which began after a strong practice session the previous day, highlighting Pei’s natural talent and their collaborative approach to strategy. He was particularly impressed by Pei’s singles play, which he believed boosted her confidence.
Lange also touched on the supportive atmosphere at professional tournaments and the dynamics of changing partnerships. He emphasized the importance of community and understanding when players decide to pursue new pairings. Having arrived in Fort Lauderdale from Portland via New York, Lange had been adjusting to the Florida heat and time zone, staying with a group of other players and focusing on rest, hydration, and recovery.
The World Pickleball Verdict
Erik Lange and Pei’s semifinal loss is a setback, but their resilience and positive attitude, particularly Lange’s, are noteworthy. Qualifying for the bronze medal match in their first tournament together as a mixed doubles pair is a significant achievement. Lange's detailed account of their matches provides valuable insights into the strategic complexities and mental fortitude required at the professional level. His praise for Pei's energy and skill suggests a promising partnership for the future. The fact that Lange considers a mixed doubles bronze more valuable than an early exit in men's doubles underscores the importance he places on this new partnership and the potential for success. Their upcoming bronze medal match will be a testament to their ability to learn and adapt after a tough loss, and a victory would be a significant milestone for Lange and a strong debut on the APP Tour for Pei.