A Thrilling Match of Strategy and Skill
Jessie Irvine and Gabriel Tardio, the No. 6 seeds, secured a hard-fought victory over Mari Humberg and Pablo Tellez, the No. 22 seeds, in a match showcasing mixed doubles’ intricacies.
The unique dynamic of Tellez, a left-hander, playing on the right side added an extra layer of complexity to the match. This allowed for extended crosscourt rallies between Humberg and Tardio on the left side and Tellez and Irvine on the right.
Irvine and Tardio quickly established their dominance, taking an early 5-0 lead in the first game. Despite a late push from their opponents, they held on to win 11-8.
However, Humberg and Tellez bounced back strongly in the second game, leveling the match. This was a familiar pattern for them, having previously come from behind in two of their victories on Friday.
Tardio admitted that they had lost their focus in the second game, failing to play high-percentage shots. “Jessie kept reminding me to stay disciplined, but we just weren’t doing it,” he explained.
In the decisive third game, Irvine and Tardio regained their composure and capitalized on several missed serves from their opponents. They quickly built a comfortable 10-4 lead and eventually closed out the match, securing their place in the tournament.
A Stellar Day for Irvine and Tardio
Jessie Irvine and Gabriel Tardio capped off a remarkable Friday with their victory over Humberg and Tellez. They amassed four wins, including an impressive upset over the No. 2 seeds, Jorja and JW Johnson, while dropping only one game.
Humberg and Tellez, despite their loss, had a commendable tournament run. They defeated two top-ten teams in their first tournament together and secured a bronze medal by defeating Mary Brascia and Jaume Martinez Vich.
Irvine and Tardio will now face the formidable Anna Bright and James Ignatowich in the final. A win on Sunday would mark Tardio’s first PPA mixed doubles title and Irvine’s first PPA gold since 2022.
