Arraya Unlocks New Level

Analysis

Different order than usual for this: we'll start with a bit of setup and analysis, and follow with the highlights.

Juan Arraya is a mercurial star in platform tennis (and a national champion). He's shown so many examples of supreme athletic ability and raw talent, and more than a few moments of stubbornness and lost focus. This meeting between Arraya/Parsons versus DuRandt/Mitchell is interesting because since winning Nationals in 2019, Arraya/Parsons have been inconsistent. They were bumped from Nationals early in 2020 and were still searching for their top form in the 20/21 season. Conversely, Du Randt/Mitchell have been models of consistency (and winning) since 2020 Nationals, and are in the middle of another stellar season in 2021 (eventually winning Nationals again).

In this match, however, Arraya plays perhaps his best paddle in recent memory. They win the first set 6-4, and go to a breaker in the second set. If you watch him closely, he applies pressure at key times but eases off at others. He seems to have the pulse of the match internally. And despite the loss, it feels like Arraya unlocked something in this match.

As it turns out, Arraya/Parsons would go on to take their revenge in the following month's 2021 Philly Open against Du Randt/Mitchell. It's reasonable to think that Arraya took something from this loss, and built upon it with Parsons to understand what the next level is for them.

And although they would not go on from this match to reach the semi-finals of 2021 Nationals, it still feels like they established their upper level is in the same class as any other team's upper level. Whereas before this match, maybe you wondered if other teams' best level had left Arraya/Parsons behind, I think this match (and the Philly Open that followed) shows that their best level is right there at the top. Thus, for Arraya/Parsons it always comes down to which version of the team will show up :)

Anyway, enough analysis because this is a highlights compilation of Arraya's best points from this contest. Enjoy!

The Points

At 0-0, first set, big drive up 0-30 on Mitchell's serve:

Same exact drive at 0-0, up 15-40 to win the game:

At 3-4, first set, nice transition point ending with drive:

At 5-4, up in the first set and serving, drop shot winner:

At 5-4, triple set point, Arraya loses the point, but holds complete control over the point until the end:

6-4, 0-0 in second set at deuce:

6-4, 4-2 in second set, at 30-30 lob and blitz to take the net:

6-4, 4-4 in second set, at 15-0, lob to set up the drive:

6-4, 6-6 in second set breaker, up 2-1, incredible high-level paddle point. Arraya/Parsons lose the point and in some ways this point is symbolic of the match: Arraya throws everything he has and Parsons plays a solid supporting role, but Du Randt/Mitchell find a way to stay alive in the point and ultimately win on an Arraya error:

6-4, 6-6 in second set breaker, down 2-3, Arraya backhand slash winner:

Arraya/Parsons lose the second set breaker, and go on to lose the third set, 6-1. All in all, though, a really solid performance for Arraya/Parsons and for Arraya, in particular, it felt like a new level was discovered.