Sunday, July 16th at the OH SNAP! Denver Open presented by Vizzy will be ground zero for a very exciting match-up that promises to bring tons of action.
The #6 seed Lacy Schneemann and Vivienne David will take on the #1 seed Anna Leigh Water and Anna Bright in the gold medal match.
Waters and Bright did not drop a game on their way to Championship Sunday, while Schneemann and David dropped game one in their quarter and semifinal, then came back in both matches to win games two and three. Their semifinal over top doubles players and No. 2 seeds Lucy Kovalova and Lea Jansen had decisive scores of 11-4 and 11-0 in the final games, showing they could apply pressure and close out matches together.
Motivation to win on both sides will be high. Anna Leigh will be looking to set a milestone in the mile-high city aiming for her 5th triple crown in a row. Another gold for Anna Bright helps solidify her spot as the #2 ranked female in the world. Scheemann and David haven’t had as many opportunities for gold this year as their opponents so best believe they’re going to leave everything on the court. Aside from winning, these ladies have something else in common. They like to battle, swing hard, and put shots away, so expect pickleball fireworks!
PPA: Aggression seemed to be a recurring theme and winning strategy today. How much do you enjoy engaging in these alpha battles, and can we expect more of the same on Championship Sunday?
Lacy: “Oh yeah! It’s women’s doubles. That’s how you play women’s doubles, you gotta be aggressive and take it to them. You gotta stay aggressive when you get the opportunity and pick the spots. It’s women’s doubles. That’s why it’s so fun to watch. It gets so fast.”
PPA: How much did keeping a winning mindset play into your success today?
Lacy: “I think something for me personally that I have to keep in mind, especially recently, is that I can play with all these players. I’m still new and I’m still trying to figure out the game, but I have all the shots and can beat all of the players on any given day. Playing with confidence and trusting my game is key to having success.”
Anna Leigh has proven time and time again that she has a champion mindset and can more than handle the big stage even at the young age of 16. You don’t get to over 100 wins without possessing a very impressive skill set and desire to win. While Anna Bright hasn’t been playing pickleball as long as Anna Leigh, her quick rise in the sport has also been quite impressive, earning multiple medals across womens and mixed doubles. The former CAL tennis star brings a level of intensity and focus to the court that cannot go unrecognized. The duo looked poised all weekend and getting them rattled will be easier said than done.
PPA: Most people associate being #1 with constant pressure and the myriad of emotions that can come along with it. Some thrive in the #1 spot, embrace the opportunity and all of the emotions that come along with this mindset. When you think about your current position in pickleball, what emotions come to mind?
Anna Leigh: “So many emotions honestly. Happiness, stressful days (laughing), it really depends on the day. I like to say pressure is a privilege. In the beginning I had a little bit of trouble with that, but I hired a mental coach who really helped me turn things around and look at things in more of a positive way and not as I have all the pressure and don’t lose to them vs they have to beat me. Flipping that mindset has helped me a lot and now I’m just riding the wave and enjoying every day.”
Sunday we find out who wants it more. Will the underdogs prevail or will the favorites take the W?
Either way, this will be must-see TV!
Anna Leigh Waters and Anna Bright vs. Lacy Schneemann and Vivienne David
Watch the match below!
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