The New York Hustlers got back on track with a 3-1 victory over the D.C. Pickleball Team early Friday afternoon in their home state.
Jack Sock and CJ Klinger set the tone in men’s doubles, pulling off a thrilling 29-27 win against D.C.’s James Ignatowich and Dekel Bar.
“Our strategy was to focus less on third shot drives and win points at the kitchen line,” Sock explained. “James and Dekel are bigger and stronger, so driving the ball didn’t faze them much—they could swat it away easily. We opted for a more conventional approach and waited for our chance to be aggressive.”
This crucial win energized the hometown favorites, helping them secure victories in both the women’s doubles match and the first mixed doubles game, clinching the overall win.
The Hustlers bounced back strongly after a disappointing regulation loss to the Utah Black Diamonds on Thursday.
Energy played a crucial role in Friday’s success.
“We didn’t bring great energy yesterday, so we really focused on bringing it today, and it paid off,” said Lea Jansen, who won both her matches in women’s doubles with Jackie Kawamoto and mixed doubles with Sock. “Just a single point here and there can make a difference, so staying locked in the whole time is essential.”
The Hustlers are set to return to action on Saturday night, facing their interstate rivals, the New Jersey 5s.
