Tops Men Seeds Bend but Don’t Break

The winners of the 2019 Austin Open are back to defend their titles, kinda.  Taylor Crabb and Jake Gibb won the men’s title in 2019.  Gibb has since retired and Crabb is now teamed with Taylor Sander. 

Friday’s competition focused on the Winner’s Bracket with many of the higher seeds having to go the full three sets to advance in the tournament. 

Seven of the last 10 season openers have been won by the top-seeded team.  It remains to be seen if that trend will hold season. 

The top-seeded team of Phil Dalhausser and Casey Patterson were but to the test by 16thseeds Noha Dyer and Chase Frishman.  Dyer and Frishman battled back to claim the second set 21-18, but Dalhausser and Patterson regrouped to claim the rubber set 15-9. 

Chase Budinger and Troy Field (#4 seeds) easily handled Dave Palm and Roberto Rodriguez, 21-13 and 21-15, 

The 3rd seeded team of Taylor Crabb and Taylor Sander took more time than anticipated to defeat Cody Caldwell an Adam Roberts.  Crabb and Sander eked out a first set win, 21-19, but Caldwell and Roberts rallied to take the second set 21-18.  The two Taylors took the final set 15-11. 

Andy Benesh and Nick Lucena (#2 seed) easily handled Leve Priima and Silila Tucker (#15 seed) 21-19, 21-15).