Kaitlyn Christian vs Genie Bouchard at the Zimmer Biomet Cape Coral Open

She will beat some great competitors in October. Game will start on Jeannie's paddle. Point. Soft. Yeah, I like that choice. I like that choice a lot from Jeannie to start with here. Now in singles, you kind of like the wind behind you to really press forward, really hit your serve, so I like. Point. I like the idea of ending there. That's where Kaitlin would end up. Kaitlin's still trying to figure out the wind situation on her side. Side out. Kaitlin Christian credits her movement to that 10-year pro doubles tennis career that she mastered, and that ball dribble away maybe is. Yeah, she goes through a routine, so I'm not surprised she didn't. And then, wow, again. Zero-two. And happy Gilmore serve here. Okay, now call, side out. Couple of early misses. No, and just dropping the ball throws off. I mean, she's a very technical rhythm. She'll put the cloak of darkness on over at the bench. Side out. Well, the interesting thing to me about Kaitlin this week is she really hasn't felt like she's played her best. I agree with that. I thought yesterday, played some great points with Leigh, but she still wasn't thrilled with her performance despite making a final here. Side out. To your point about Jeannie, trailed in every single game against Kate Fahey. All three, in some way, somehow, found her way out of that battle. Yeah, and it's interesting. I think the players on tour are showing her more and more respect each time she gets another one of these signature wins. Ooh, goes big on the volley. And late to take advantage of a beautiful third. Gotta go forward instantly, and that would have been just a layup put away. Oh, that's good. Side out. What else did you and Jeannie talk about ahead of this match? I think the ability to find how do you pass, how do you set up her better wing, which is the backhand, and just seeing if she can execute other than just blunt force. That's what she was known for in singles. There's the following it in right there that she has to do. Because she just hit people off the court in her tennis career. Here, you have to have the nuance. That's why the doubles is still lagged behind for her. I mean, this is big. She has never won on Sunday. She's lost finals and lost bronze matches. So, looking for her first Sunday win in any type. How pretty is that volley? K.K. She made it to Sunday, Jeannie did, with the wooden paddle. Yes, she did. In Sacramento last year. Zero three. Point. Got bacon, beers, all coming up into the stands here. One three. Love it. These fans are locked in. Side out. And when you start talking about two hour matches, people don't want to leave their seat here, because as you mentioned throughout, it's so packed in here that. Three one. Then they all flood over to the grill and to the facilities and everything else. Point. Yeah, almost two hour match there, Nix. Fans were glued to their seats. Four one. Point. Timeout receiver. Smart, we talked about that a lot. Same idea, different player type of thing. Point. The other thing we talked about, interestingly enough, and she's paying attention to this, is she wants to qualify for the finals. And she is in ninth spot right now, and she knows that top eight make it. So, very aware of that. Man, what a drop. Side out. Never hit that one, but the one before. Man, that backhand was perfection. In that conversation with the ranking situation, here's Tom not playing singles. Yes. The foreseeable future will help Jeannie's cause. So, the happy Gilmore serve is harder because the wind will move you. Wow, I don't know what happened there for Jeannie, though. Two six. It's the better side by far. I think she missed an opportunity to come in after that terrific return. Six two. Side out. And the athlete that is Jeannie Bouchard on display right there. I mean, that was not an easy grab on the get, but couldn't do much with it once she got there. Side out. And five matches played, all won by Kaitlin, and only one game win within all that for Jeannie. So, this start, again, you've got to finish it. You've talked about that over the last two hours. Point. Would go a big way towards belief. Now officially the two-year mark from win. First started her pro pickleball career, and that was in the Springs, January 10th, 1994. Took a 32 loss, was still a little bit lost in the sport. But you mentioned that respect aspect. Starting to get more respect from all the players. When will it be, like, okay. I think the singles ladies have it, but the rest of the field's like, I kind of want her in my doubles section of the draw. So, it's there, it just hasn't progressed. And in some cases, that's okay, you know? Have yourself a singles career here, and keep working on the other, and we'll see if it catches up or not. Three, seven. But the singles ladies, obviously, respect her immensely. Yeah, like, I talked to Kate yesterday, and she was like, Jeannie played really, really well. And just that reach, especially Kate's more of the counter-puncher. It's tough to pass Jeannie when she's in. Christian back in the point, goes right to her on the baseline, and we have ourselves a game now. Kaitlin Christian. An infinite creditor. She has worked really hard, and here she is with a chance to win a medal. And not just any medal, a gold. What's changed for Kaitlin Christian in the last couple of points? Getting to the net first, it's that simple. Jeannie's not gonna return and come in. Kaitlin is going to take whatever you hit to her and come in. That return is not available in today's wind. They said Jeannie needed a better start. She did that. And we'll see if that actually picks up. Wide out. Kaitlin Christian, her foot speed is ridiculous. I mean, we have two awesome athletes here. And they're 30s too, shout out, ladies. 31 Jeannie, 34 KK. It's not just the youngsters playing singles. Ball from Bouchard, curls it down the line. Yeah, with pro tennis career mileage on their legs too, that's definitely not to be understated. But they both know the professionalism that that required, both on and off the court. Love a freebie at that moment in time. So, okay. Can you get to 11? And can you step up the line right here and really crack a serve? You got the wind at your back. You're gonna get a short return and maybe be able to take advantage. Goes big to the backhand on the serve. Foot fault was called on Kaitlin Christian. Either way, nice setup. To your point, Bouchard's serve, game point. So here we go. Nice. Man, where should Jeannie have went with that? Anywhere else? Absolutely where she did. I would like to see in the last volley hit with a little more authority, but KK came up with the backhand of her life on that drop. So going back to the backhand there would have been what I wanted to do. Just stay committed so the forehand doesn't get called. But there, it's two backhands in a row that she has come up big. She stays in. Wild on the return. Game point for Jeannie. Came and went. Christian ties it at 10. Cannot put the ball in the jet stream that she has twice now. Free challenge timeout receiver, 11-10, 45 seconds. Or the nerves here now having to hit a return. No nerves there. Persevered. Game points, both sides. Jeannie with a chance to tie it now. I like that return location. Has to run around the backhand just a little bit. Misses it wide. Serve. You almost have to challenge this. Referee timeout. We have a challenge at the out call. The result of the rally is side out, 11-10. We'll now proceed with video review. I think this one might get called back. Let's see. After review of the rally stands, the ball was out. No free challenge results in a technical warning. No free challenge is remaining. We'll resume play at 11-10. Couple of tough misses here. 11-10. Game point number two. Side out. Wow, okay. It's Fed's birthday, not Jeannie's. 10-11. Oh, Jeannie. That shot. 11 apiece. So that sort of hybrid is much more effective. Sort of a drop with a little pace on it. 11-11. Sensational. And KK takes it out on her foot. What a, just beautiful point construction from Jeannie there. Game point two on her side now. KK is failing at miniature golf over there. Tried to get the ball underneath. The windmill got her. 12-11. Oh, it's the worst. Side out. Again, Christian to the net first. She wins the battle. Not a great first swing at a pass or a drop to get a look. 11-12. Side out. Good pressure of the Christian backhand there. And if Jeannie, this has gotta be. Let's see if she can find that combo again. Big serve. Game point three. Not a big serve. Oh. Can't get back though. Side out. Christian is a force when she's closing, as you pointed out. How pretty is that backhand overhead? Because in these wind conditions. Yes, big time. 11-12. Side out. Unhappy Gilmore. 12-11. Comes out of it again. So now they start adding up. Four chances to close game one. Hasn't gotten it done. 11-12. Oh boy. Spectacular volley on the dead run from KK. Wow. Four game points saved. Back to even. 12-12. She wants it. Jeannie plays a timid return and gives up the net and Christian happily takes it. 13-12. Side out. Yes, sir. Two of those at crunch time. Okay. Same question for Jeannie. 12-13. Can you crack a serve? Middle of the box. What a choice on the next one. Little dipper right at the feet. Perfect double shot that comes in. That's perfect. It's gonna take at least 15 here in game one. Slips away from Kaitlin Christian. Game point number five for Jeannie Bouchard. Wow. Three on Kaitlin's paddle, five on Jeannie's paddle. See if Jeannie can close into the net. 14-13. The serve will dictate everything here. Pretty good. Wow. What a shot. Twice soft to the backhand and then rips it to the same side with Kaitlin closing first. Jeannie Bouchard is a game away from her first career time. How about that? With five chances and three saves. Well done. Game two coming up next. So what happens now with Kaitlin with the wind at her back? It's a good serve in there and gets a miss is what starts it. And one match to go and it is a beauty. Anna Lee Waters and Anna Bright who fought for almost two hours in mix. 1-0. Played the Kawamotos for women's doubles glory. 2-0. Point. Gorgeous touch from Christian. Okay, we're gonna chase some debris across the court. 3-0. Point. Full swing and a miss for the Canadian who puts a smile on her face and that was not even a Paul Skeens fastball. That was very average, but it's got the knuckle on it that's making it difficult. And how about this start? Five in a row with the ball. 5-0. Side out. It's gonna be made a lot of the time but Kaitlin gives herself a nice nod, yeah. Five the first time you served. I would nod in approval as well. 0-5. Point. I like that Jeannie attacked that, so got that ball right at the apex of the bounce there. Don't let the ball play you in these wind conditions especially. 1-5. Kaitlin can't believe it. She got the unbelievable touch from Jeannie but ran out of places to hit the ball because that little foot of the net there is in her way to just bun it directly to the side there, so too good from Jeannie. Oh, nice. Side out. I mean, her volleys are like a velociraptor just coming in there, just the wings, bang, just get that out of here. 5-2. Point. That is a tough corner to hit out of. Pace, the pressure, and the wind. 6-2. Point. Lots of choices to work with. And I think she went through about 11. Timeout received for 7-2. As far as he was related, I don't know. Oh yeah, that was great, that was amazing. Yeah, he is a funny guy. Called himself a big baby. Yes, he did. 2-7. Choice of words also. Trading mis-serves. 7-2. Side out. And he commits to the kitchen. It's the ball she wants finally. Great scramble from K.K. though. Got like the middle volley there, keeping it on the backhand side so it's less dangerous. 2-7. That was a mess from the toss of the serve. So that's the other factor here, you just have to, because if you're more of a, most people are just, it's going straight down as it should be. But that can even move a little bit there, and that's kind of got her off her rhythm now. The wicked corner continues to produce for Kaitlyn Christian. Yeah, and in this case, you're hitting it to the better wing of Jeannie Bouchard, but I think that is big time neutralized because of the end. Yes, that ball is tailing as soon as it lands. 8-2. Side out. 2-8. 3-8. Side out. Wait again. So, I know they're both tennis players, that's our second double fault. Yeah. Wind? For sure. The credit there? Without question. 8-3. And I think Jeannie thought, well the wind will bring that one in and didn't. Side out. Bad feed from Kaitlyn there. 3-8. Point. Nice approach. So if you can get Kaitlyn to stay back, ball to the backhand, take your chances. 4-8. Side out. Christian handled the drop. Very well. Backhand wing, yeah. And I like that Jeannie's chasing that. The challenge being on that side is it's gonna get on you quicker. Wow. Point. That's just a rope. Is there anything you can do to get ready sooner? Split step maybe a little bit earlier if you're on the side that it's getting on you faster for Jeannie in those situations? And then you kind of have to 9-4. Not take the direct route, just a little more angular. Another miss. Side out. Yeah, I'd like to see just a little more of a rounded approach there because it's gonna not follow the path you're used to. 4-9. On the other side, straight to it where Kaitlyn is. Point. I mean, Bouchard has a chance here. Get right back in it. 5-9. A couple more here. The variability of serving. Side out. Set the feet and then the ball was nowhere near her strike zone and that was a wild miss. 9-5. Just wide. Yep. Side out. Maybe a challenge of this but that looked wide to me for sure. We'll now proceed with video review. After review, the rally stands. The ball was out. Lost a free challenge. No free challenge remaining. One free challenge remaining. Resume play at 5-9. Time in. 5-9. Point. Okay, one at a time, Dave. No doubt about it and if you do approach there, you can leave the line a little bit because by the time it gets to the line, it's gonna be wide. So I like that play off the line if she's got it is the same hold so if she chooses to try and pass there herself. 9-6. Point. Game point for Kaitlin Christian. 10-6. A gift at game point, 11-6 and yeah, wind inside certainly a factor here in this one. We'll be right back. Game three to decide who comes home with a title in women's singles. Game three, time in. Ideally a 6-3 so even one or two just right here off the jump. Side out. You'd rather be in Kaitlin Christian's shoes as far as sides go here, especially with the wind picking up. Because then I can talk myself into being down 6-0 if it was that dire and say I'm good, I'm going to the good side where I just won 11-6. 0-0. Point. Just return to the shard. 1-0. Point. Oh man, back to back. Just can't happen in a final. 2-0. Side out. 0-2. Point. So that is a perfectly struck volley, but down the line you've got to play it inside. So the adjustments must happen. We finally got a rally. We had mis-serve, mis-return, mis-return, mis-serve. Point. And Jeannie has to use that just booming wind to take that ball any backhand she gets. She has to let the wind bring it there. And Kaitlin's feet are wonderful. She will not be able to find a forehand in that case. Side out. 2-2. Little careful on the last one, but it was fine. 2-2. Such touch from Kaitlin Christian. 2-2. Point. Referee timeout. We have a challenge to the out call. I think it's gonna stand, and that's again. After review, the rally stands. The ball was out. Loss of a free challenge. No free challenge remaining. One free challenge remaining. Resume play at 3-2. Time in. 2. Point. Good return, but Jeannie needs to be missing on an okay. 4-2. Approach shot. Nice. Side out. Punch back from Jeannie Bouchard. Yeah, Kaitlin loves to use the drop volley, but that one got way too deep in the court for a player that moves as well as Jeannie does. 2-4. Side out. And a breach for Bouchard. 4-2. That was trouble. Guessed right, though, but such a good shot from Kaitlin, and this is trouble, because Kaitlin could be switching to the lead. 5-2. Side out. Kaitlin doesn't know where the ball is still, ever since she swung at it. So we have two strikes, both on that end. Just, I mean, the elements are a thing today. I mean, better than Annaleigh. Acknowledge that when you talk to them after their win. Side out. Kaitlin knows how big getting over to the other end with a four-point lead could be. 5-2. Late and out call. Side out. For sure. 2-5. Side out. Jeannie not sharp when she needed to be in this third game, especially on the side that has won the first two games. Overcooks it wide, so lots of gifts there, and Kaitlin will happily celebrate Federico Staksrud's birthday. She does. Point. But misses the return again. 7-2. Point. This one is in the grip of Kaitlin Christian for the fourth career title. 8-2. Point. Another missed return, and Jeannie is just stunned. Four of the nine. 9-2. Miss serves in there as well, and she has the ball. Point. And her ball lead for championship points. 10-2. Point. Matt Seals and Kaitlin Christian crowned the winner of Cape Coral. A well-deserved run and a well-deserved fourth title on the PPA Tournament. Yeah, just really solid. Had three game points in game one that she didn't cash, and she could have gotten out the door in two. What a performance this entire week from Jeannie Bouchard. Well-earned silver medal, but too much Kaitlin Christian. We'll be right back to speak with Kaitlin Christian on her way to another title. We'll be right back. With Michelle. Dave, thanks so much. Yeah, fourth gold for Kaitlin Christian. Well-deserved tough conditions out here today. How were you able to mentally persevere through the circumstances? First of all, congrats to Jeannie. She had so many good wins this week. She's such a great competitor, and every match we play just keeps getting tougher and tougher, so kudos to her. Thank you guys so much for showing up. You guys showed up all week, and it was such a pleasure to play in front of you guys, so thank you guys so much for coming. Yeah, it's been a fantastic atmosphere here, and Kaitlin, a couple of times you mentioned you didn't feel like you played your best brand of pickleball this week, but to still come away with a title, what does that tell you about where your level is at right now in women's singles specifically? Yeah, I mean, tough conditions today, super windy. Definitely I don't think either of us played our best. I felt like I struggled a lot this week, but like I said, you guys really brought the energy. I heard you guys call my name so many times out there, so thank you so much. Happy, so happy to get a fourth gold. I haven't gotten one in a while, so this one means a lot to me. I love it. Give it up for Kaitlin Christian, claiming gold once again. And on behalf of this great venue, Lisa Zook, the general manager of the courts here in Cape Coral is with us to deliver the title. Lisa, please come to the stage. I just want a couple of things to say. It's been a wonderful event. We've been so excited to host this great event, so I'd like to thank the city of Cape Coral, obviously the PPA, all my staff that have done a tremendous job this week, the players, and these wonderful fans, and the city of Cape Coral, it's awesome. And a huge congratulations, fantastic match today, and well done. Thank you. Well said. Thank you, Lisa. Dave, back over to you. Congrats to Kaitlin Christian, and what a happy human that is and well deserved. So one more to go, and it is a beauty. We love women's doubles. We got the Kawamotos against Anna Lee Waters and Anna Bright.