Lightning Strikes Twice: Anna Bright and Rachel Rohrabacher vs Catherine Parenteau and Anna Leigh Waters

Anna Bright and Rachel Rohrabacher are the only team to beat Catherine Parenteau and Anna Leigh Waters, and they have done so twice. What statistical similarities and differences exist between their win at the Veolia Austin Open in March and their win at the CIBC Atlanta Slam in September? Let’s take a look.

Scores:

Austin Open, March 18: 11-4, 3-11, 11-6, 11-8. 

Atlanta Slam, September 15: 11-3, 11-9, 9-11, 11-5.

Who hit the third shots? 

In Austin, Parenteau hit 65% of her team’s third shots. 

In Atlanta, Waters hit 85% of her team’s third shots.

In Austin, Rohrabacher hit 62% of her team’s third shots.

In Atlanta, Bright hit 51% of her team’s third shots.

Third Shot selection: 

Austin featured third shot drives. 55% for AB/RR, 68% for CP/ALW, and 61% overall. (conditions were cool and windy)

Atlanta featured third shot drops. 88% for AB/RR, 50% for CP/ALW, and 71% overall.

Pace of Play: 

In Austin, 67% of the rallies were nine shots or fewer. The match averaged 8.7 shots per rally.

In Atlanta, 46% of the rallies were nine shots or fewer. The match averaged 11.6 shots per rally.

Clean Winners: (a winner that touches neither the net nor the opponent’s paddle)

Austin: AB/RR led this category, 19-8. 

Atlanta: AB/RR led this category, 28-14.

Rohrabacher had the most “Clean Winners” in both matches. 14 in Austin and 18 in Atlanta. Both totals were at least seven more than anyone else.

Speed-Ups:

Percentage of rallies won when a regular dinking rally or dinking opportunity was accelerated, and that shot or the ensuing hand-battle led directly to the end of the rally.

Austin: AB/RR led in this category, 68% to 59%.

Atlanta: AB/RR led in this category, 52% to 35%.

Historically, when one team performs at least five percent better than their opponents in this category, they also win the match close to 90 percent of the time.

Challenging Waters while she played on the left side:

In Austin, Waters played 57 rallies on the left side. AB/RR hit one winner past her on her backhand side. (1.57%)

In Atlanta, Waters played 139 rallies on the left side. AB/RR hit ten winners past her on her backhand side. (7.19%)

Both teams are registered for the Stratusphere Gin Virginia Beach Cup, September 30-October 6. There are six PPA tournaments left this season. It will be fascinating to see what happens if these teams meet again on Championship Sunday!