Audiberts denied mixed doubles double at English Open

Marcia and Bernie Audibert narrowly missed out on a mixed doubles double at the Skechers Pickleball English Open in Telford.

The married couple from Brighton took gold in the 4.5 35+ mixed doubles at Telford International Centre on Sunday, but later lost in Tuesday’s final of the 55+ mixed doubles Open draw.

Marcia, 56, a psychologist, and husband Bernie, 54, beat Germany’s Sabine Dreger and Stefan Kornhass in Sunday’s 4.5 35+ mixed showpiece.

- Advertisement -

“The final was really tough because they were really big hitters and I found it tough to keep hitting and hitting and moving fast, and I moved it like they were going to pound me,” said Marcia.

“Fortunately, my partner, Bernie, took a lot of those balls and put some pressure on and put a lot of balls away.

“He’s been really, really gentle this tournament because when he gets really stressed, it makes me play worse, so this time he’s tried to be really positive and he’s done a great job, so it’s been fun because we’ve had some fiery ones!”

Having won all three of their group matches on Tuesday in the 55+ mixed Open competition, the Audiberts then overcame Julie McCauley and David Youngs 11-0 11-8 in the quarter-finals, then Bee Kilgore and Juan Carlos Hintze Martinez 13-11 11-5 in the semis.

The USA pairing of Kristin Hickman and David Spearman (pictured above) were a step too far in the final, however, as the Brighton duo went down 11-1 11-4.

Spearman said of the British couple: “They were as good as any of the players that we play with at home, especially Bernie.

“I think he may be as strong as anybody, he just needs a little bit more practice, he’s still got a little tennis in him, but he’s a great, great player.

“It’s hard to stay at a high level for too long, so when we won that first game, we kind of just dipped a little bit and they got energised, but I think our game plan worked and even though it was a little closer in the second, that game plan was the difference.

Partner Kristin added: “We don’t face married couples that often and they’re so sweet. You can tell they always get along and they’re always smiling and laughing.

“I started really trying to work on going to his backhand and rolling the balls to her and try to keep him out of the game as much as I could, keep him honest.”

Pickleball England has announced a record number of players competing at this year’s English OPEN from the 8th-14th August at the Telford International Centre in the largest pickleball event taking place outside of the USA EVER – visit pickleballengland.org

- Advertisement -