Top dogs advance, but underdogs steal the show in KC

Yes, it’s going to be No. 1 vs. No. 2 on Sunday in the mixed doubles final at the PPA Tour’s Kansas City Open.

That’s not really a surprise. When Ben Johns and Anna Leigh Waters play, they’re near impossible to beat. When Riley Newman and Jessie Irvine pair up, they’re a decided favorite. These teams were predictably the best on Friday and were expected to blaze through their respective sides of the bracket.

But look closer and take a peek at the semifinals. The top teams had their say, but the underdogs had their day.

You try not to think about them and who they are,” said Milan Rane, who paired with Gabe Tardio.

Rane and Tardio were in their first PPA semifinal after getting through a number of high-profile teams, including Catherine Parenteau and Tyson McGuffin, who won triple crowns last week at the Tournament of Champions in Utah.

Tardio and Rane came in as the 30th seed. They beat Parenteau and McGuffin in straight games in the round of 32, then beat tour veterans Patrick Smith and Irinia Tereschenko in straight games to earn a quarterfinal game against Dylan Frazier and Andrea Koop who they then beat in an absolute ripper of a match, 10-12,11-5, 11-9.

“It’s amazing,” Rane said. “All my friends in South Florida have had tons of success and I’ve been waiting and waiting. I thought it would be my time soon and it looks like it is. I’m happy about that.”

Rane and Tardio practice together, along with a number of other pros in Florida, including JW and Jorja Johnson. That kind of regular competition doesn’t just make you better, it gets you ready for the biggest matches against the best teams.

“They’re great players, but not intimidating one bit,” said Travis Rettenmaier who was on the other side of the bracket, paired with Jade Kawamoto. “From my background, I’ve played against a lot of high profile players. It’s just another day.”

Rettenmaier has had success on tour. Kawamoto has also had a number of fantastic runs as well. Both each had a silver and a bronze medal on the PPA Tour heading into Friday, but Championship Court appearances and semifinals aren’t regular occurrences for the two – yet. 

But they played like it was no big deal Friday. The No. 13 seed beat big names along the way including Callan Dawson and Mary Brascia in the first round, fourth-seeded James Ignatowich and Anna Bright in the round of 16, and Brendon Long and Bobbi Oshiro in the quarterfinals before getting a shot at Johns and Waters.

“It’s getting more comfortable each time,” Kawamoto said. “The pressure isn’t on us. The goal is to have fun and play our best.”

Well, no pressure, that’s for sure. And there were plenty of jokes and fun, too,

“Mostly at her [Jade’s] expense,” said Rettenmaier. “Lots of ‘short’ jokes.”

“I just appreciate being able to play and enjoying myself,” said Rettenmaier. “If the results come, great. If they don’t, no problem. I’m just trying to do my best with the age I am and the skill set I have.”

The results appeared Friday. Kawamoto and Rettenmaier earned bronze, outlasting Tardio and Rane, 11-2, 11-13, 11-9.

“I feel like I was a great second choice, since Travis texted Jackie first,” Kawamoto joked about Rettenmaier asking her sister to play. “But she already had a partner, so I’m glad it worked out. We keep it light and fun and there’s a little less pressure when you can gel well with your partner.”