Top Seeds Waters/Parenteau to Battle Black/Johnson for Women's Doubles Gold
What's the Score?
The women’s doubles final will feature a match between the top-seeded duo of Anna Leigh Waters and Catherine Parenteau and the No. 3 seeds, Tyra Black and Jorja Johnson. Waters/Parenteau secured their spot with an 11-5, 11-7 victory over first-time partners Lacy Schneemann and Parris Todd. Black/Johnson overcame a first-game loss to defeat No. 6 seeds Jackie Kawamoto and Jade Kawamoto 4-11, 11-1, 11-7.
Hit it deeper!
Anna Leigh Waters and Catherine Parenteau started their semifinal match strongly, taking the first game 11-5 against Lacy Schneemann and Parris Todd. In the second game, they built a comfortable 8-2 lead, appearing poised for a straightforward victory. However, Schneemann and Todd mounted a comeback, narrowing the score to 6-8. Determined to avoid a third game, Waters elevated her play, bringing increased aggression that helped her and Parenteau regain momentum and close out the contest 11-7.
Waters admitted that she often performs better under pressure, stating, “Usually when it’s tight, I tend to play better and move my feet more. I definitely need to start doing that earlier on in the games,”. She also acknowledged Parenteau’s strong play, adding, “Especially in that first game, I felt like maybe I wasn’t playing my best, even though Catherine played really well,”. Their ability to close out the match in two games demonstrates their experience and teamwork.
In the second women’s doubles semifinal, Tyra Black and Jorja Johnson faced a challenging start against Jackie and Jade Kawamoto, losing the first game 4-11. However, a strategic change in positioning, with Johnson moving to the left and Black to the right, proved to be a turning point. This adjustment led to a dominant performance in the second game, which Black and Johnson won 11-1, leveling the match. They carried this momentum into the deciding third game, securing a comfortable victory of 11-7 to advance to their second PPA final as a partnership.
Black highlighted her strong defensive play during the match, attributing it to her tennis background: “That defense was just my tennis game, honestly. I was super scrappy and did whatever I had to in order to get the ball back and make my opponents hit one more shot, and that kind of transferred over to my pickleball game,”. Johnson expressed her enjoyment of competing alongside Black in both MLP and PPA events and her satisfaction in bouncing back after a tough previous tournament. “I just really enjoy being out here battling with Tyra. It’s really fun both in MLP and PPA,” Johnson said. “I had a bit of a rough weekend last time out in Utah, so I’m happy to bounce back. That’s team chemistry right there,”.
The final will see the top-seeded Waters/Parenteau face the Dallas Flash teammates Black/Johnson, promising an exciting battle for the women’s doubles crown.
The World Pickleball Verdict
The women's doubles final between the top-seeded powerhouse duo of Waters/Parenteau and the resilient team of Black/Johnson is set to be a thrilling encounter. Waters and Parenteau's ability to secure a straight-game victory despite a late surge from their opponents underscores their experience and composure. Black and Johnson's impressive comeback after a difficult first game, fueled by a strategic adjustment and strong defensive play, highlights their adaptability and determination. This final pits the consistency and established success of Waters/Parenteau against the momentum and team chemistry of Black/Johnson, promising a captivating match that will showcase top-tier women's doubles pickleball.