STORYLINES FOR THE VULCAN KANSAS CITY OPEN PRESENTED BY CHICKEN N PICKLE

OVERALL TOP 5:

• THE WRIGHT MOVE: With brother Collin injured, Ben Johns will reunite with Matt Wright
• CHIEF CHALLENGE: Parenteau and McGuffin roar into KC with 3 golds on their necks but the field in KC is fierce with the returns of Ben, ALW, JW, etc. 
• ROYALLY HOT: Triple digits expected to start the tourney so hydration will be critical
• LET’S GO ROOS: Yana Newell played her college tennis in KC and is looking for some home cookin’
• PRIME VIEWING: All of the action will be streamed on Amazon Prime

BROADCAST & VENUE HIGHLIGHTS (all times CENTRAL): 

• Thursday:  Amazon Prime: 10am-finish
• Friday: Amazon Prime: 10am-finish
• Saturday: Amazon Prime 10am-finish
• Championship Sunday: Tennis Channel & Amazon Prime 10am-finish
• First ever visit to this section of the country for the PPA Tour. 
• No prior tournament, so no defending Champions.

MEN’S SINGLES:

• Off court fitness will be the story, with the heat expected to be triple digits on Thursday. 
• Is Jaume Martinez Vich ready to make another run?
• WATCH OUT FOR: Garnett and Alshon: can one of these 2 grab not only a spot on the podium but a title?

WOMEN’S SINGLES:

• AL Waters is back and will be looking for revenge after losing to Hurricane Tyra Black in Cali. 
• Will Mary Brascia grab a spot on the podium?
• WATCH OUT FOR: Catherine Parenteau – 8 weeks off, triple crown winner, and full of confidence.

MIXED DOUBLES:

• JW and Jorja Johnson return and are a very tough out, including the only W over ALW/Ben in ‘23. 
• Interesting partnerships: Jones/Devilliers, Dizon/Arnold, Jansen/Patriquin, Smith/Bar
• WATCH OUT FOR: Vivienne David is back after battling illness to play with usual partner Thomas Wilson. 

WOMEN’S DOUBLES:

• CP is back with ALW – they are undefeated as a dynamic duo. 
• Anna Bright is paired with the powerful Meghan Dizon.  
• WATCH OUT FOR: Lucy Kovalova – can the Wichita, Kansas resident get back to Sunday with Callie Smith?

MEN’S DOUBLES:

• JW Johnson and Dylan Frazier looking to win yet again as the 2 seed (and Dylan has extra motivation playing closer to home). 
• Matt Wright and Ben Johns last played together at the Masters in November of ’21. 
• Wichita resident Jay Devilliers playing with Dekel Bar – how will team TALL fare?
• Julian gets the call with Riley – can Andiamo help Riley grab gold?
• WATCH OUT FOR: Red hot Pat Smith is paired with Thomas Wilson, can they do damage?