The Kawamotos’ Comeback: Behind the Numbers

The Kawamoto sisters won the Veolia Cincinnati Showcase in historic fashion, losing the first two games to Tyra Black and Jorja Johnson then winning the next three.

How rare is what Anna Bright called “a reverse sweep?”

Since the start of 2022, I found only five instances of that happening.

2023: *Nationals, Women’s Doubles: Catherine Parenteau and Anna Leigh Waters def. Anna Bright and Jesse Irvine. (*Not a PPA Tour event that year).

2023: Tournament of Champions (Utah), Men’s Doubles: James Ignatowich and Tyson McGuffin def. A.J. Koller and Riley Newman.

2023: PPA Championships (Las Vegas), Men’s Doubles: Ben Johns and Collin Johns def. Dylan Frazier and J.W. Johnson.

2025: Australia Open, Mixed Doubles: Lacy Schneemann and Tyson McGuffin def. Jesse Irvine and Gabe Tardio.

2025: Cincinnati Showcase, Women’s Doubles: Jackie Kawamoto and Jade Kawamoto def. Tyra Black and Jorja Johnson.

Let’s take a broader look:

When a team is down two-games-to-none in a PPA Doubles Final, how does the match turn out? 

Since the start of 2022, I found 145 matches where a team trailed 2-0.

Lost in three games (swept), 115 times. (79%).

Lost in four games, 22 times. (15%).

Lost in five games, four times (3%). (The Men’s Doubles Final in Mesa this year was one of those matches).

Won in five games, four times (3%).

Yes, the Kawamotos’ victory in Cincinnati was historic and rare, and to do it in a Grand Slam event, for their first career titles, makes it even more special.