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target and she easily captured the match, winning the second game 15-5.
Next up: Agassi and Bouchard. Agassi was looking for a four-peat in Slam action but knew Bouchard was going to be a tough matchup. Consistent groundstrokes from the 56-year-old Agassi and moving the ball around kept Bouchard out of rhythm. She never got closer than 3 points as Agassi fired a crosscourt winner off his forehand to go up 9-4. He would go on to win game one 15-11.
During the break, ALW— always the ultimate competitor— provided some tips to Bouchard and it paid off as game two was clearly on Bouchard’ s paddle. She took some pace off her shots, extending each point and went up 6-0. She would go on to handle Agassi that game 15-4, setting up a decisive third.
But this time it was Agassi who started out strong. Coming in on many of his shots, he kept Bouchard uneasy and quickly led 5-1. At 7-2, Agassi showed that his hands at the net are still very fast, hitting a reflex volley winner. Bouchard had just too many unforced errors to get back into the match, eventually losing 15-5.
In the featured doubles match, it was clear from the outset that Agassi and Blake would play to Bouchard as much as possible to keep it away from Waters and it began to pay off. Blake displaying a power game, with penetrating groundstrokes and effective overheads, led the men to a 19-11 lead. At one point in the game, Waters, looking a bit perplexed at her lack of action, laughingly said,“ You want to hit a couple of shots my way?”
Well, that brief verbal volley energized the women and they eventually closed the gap, extending the game until— on Agassi and Blake’ s fourth chance to close it out— ALW netted an Agassi forehand to give the men the win in game one, 25-23.
Blake’ s power game and the ability of the men to keep the ball away from Waters also made the difference in game two. The women had too few answers down the stretch, losing the game 21-15 and the match.
For Andre Agassi, he’ s now a perfect 4 for 4 in Pickleball Slam action. As a player who amassed nearly $ 32 million in tennis prize money, he was quick to acknowledge his opponents, especially Bouchard.“ I want to thank Genie for stepping into this world as it relates to pickleball. She’ s done it with grace, humility and an absolute great deal of pride.”
Blake meanwhile felt it was an honor and a welcome relief to play alongside Agassi in Ares Pickleball Slam 4.“ Anyone who knows Andre is fortunate, and I’ m so lucky to get to know him as a competitor across the net and now on the same side of the net. It’ s so much more of a joy to see his process and to see how much he cares about this game.
“ The guy has absolutely nothing to prove in the world of athletics and yet he still comes out with a passion and a fire. He’ s got a passion for life, and I’ m so impressed to be a part of it. To be a good friend of his is an honor.” •
Drew Wathey is a published author and screenwriter(“ A Season With Hope”) and former director of communications for the PGA Tour’ s Phoenix Open. Wathey is the owner of SportsLink, a home-based sports public relations and marketing company. He is also a national sports anchor for iHeart Radio. His family lives in Phoenix, Arizona.
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