Bermudian Pickleball players experienced a mix of triumphs and challenges at the Humana APP Fort Lauderdale Open, showcasing their skills in various Age Divisions.
In the Mixed Doubles UTR-P 4.0: 65+ Group 2 category, Sue Chiappa and Michael J Burns faced tough competition, finishing with a 0-3 record. They fell to Victor Espinosa and Maria Ramos 15-2, Ron Schwenk and Patricia Astin 15-10, and Tinsley Dozier and Holly Hancock 15-6, ultimately placing 4th in their group.
However, there was success for Bermuda in the Mixed Doubles UTR-P 4.0: 70+ Division. Danny Fox and Sarah Fox battled their way to a Silver Medal, demonstrating resilience and determination throughout the tournament.
The Fox duo finished the Round-Robin stage with a 3-1 record, defeating Scott Nicastro and Linda Nicastro 16-14, Melissa Vercillo and Arthur Vercillo 15-10, and Howard Weisbart and Lynne Weisbart 15-1, while suffering a 15-11 loss to Debi Dorne and Norm Dickman.
In the playoffs, they faced Dorne and Dickman again in the Semi-Finals, this time emerging victorious with a 15-9 win. The final proved to be a thrilling encounter against the Nicastros. Despite a strong start, the Fox pair ultimately fell short, losing 2-11, 11-7, 11-1 in a hard-fought three-set match.
While Chiappa and Burns faced setbacks in their group, the Silver Medal performance of Danny and Sarah Fox highlights the competitive spirit and talent of Bermudian pickleball players on the international stage. Their success in the 70+ Division is a testament to their dedication and skill, and they will undoubtedly be looking to build on this achievement in future tournaments.
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