BATTLE FOR GOLD: Yang/Yu v Munro/Schenk | Men’s Pro Doubles Final | 2025 New York City Open

🏆 MEN’S PRO DOUBLES FINAL: Watch the thrilling championship showdown as Thomas Yu and Len Yang face off against Jack Munro and Aidan Schenk for the gold medal at the 2025 Zimmer Biomet APP New York City Open. This match marked the first championship appearance for both teams, with Yang/Yu making it all the way through from the qualifiers.

Experience elite men’s doubles pickleball at its finest with incredible shot-making, strategic gameplay, and intense rallies from four of the sport’s top professionals competing for the championship title.

0:00 – Intro

05:45 – Game One Starts

0:25:17 – Game Point One

0:28:52 – Game Two Starts

0:40:41 – Game Point Two

0:43:48 – Game Three Starts

1:09:41 – Championship Point

1:13:08 – Championship Interview

1:14:43 – Medal Presentation

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Our men’s doubles gold medal match features the two seed Jack Monroe and Aiden Shank taking on the qualifying pair of Len Yang and Thomas U. As we welcome you into the booth here on Championship Court alongside a US national team head coach Chad Edwards and pro pickleball coach Dominic Catalano. I’m Dorian Craft. Fellas, Jack Monroe is playing with a different partner this tournament, but last year in New York, it was really his coming out party and since then he has been a force on the men’s double side. Yeah, I played with Mario Barentos last year, a LA last minute team up and they come out on top last year. This year, this is not a lastminute team up with him and Aiden Shank. Him and Aiden Shank have known they’re going to play this tournament together for a while because Will Hows is not here this weekend. So, with them teaming up, I loved when they decided to match up together because I like both of their energy. I like their excitement together. And again, Aiden Shank is one of those players that we’re going to see a lot of coming up on the AP tour in these gold medal matches. Speaking of pairings that you’re going to see a lot of, you and Yang, yes, they’re qualifiers, but Chad, do not sleep on this pairing. No, absolutely not. Yang and Yu in the qualies because they don’t have points. Thomas Yu finishing up tennis at John’s Hopkins is now turn to pickle ball. Len Yang a pingpong background. These guys played phenomenal. They came through. They put pressure on. Watch for that backhand flick of Len Yang. Don’t sleep on these guys because they come out. They play fast pace and they’re really going to put the pressure on Monroe and Shank. [Music] A dry but cloudy day here in Corona Park. 59 degrees, a little bit breezy, but all in all, still a fantastic day for pickle ball. And we have got our men’s doubles gold medal match coming up next at the Billy Jean King USA National Tennis Center. Life is always changing. 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It’s 100% satisfaction guaranteed. Penetrix, the number one online rated joint and muscle cream. [Music] Heat. Heat. There’s a look at Jack Monroe, the number two rated men’s doubles player on the AP tour this season. 21 years old, lives in Buddha, Texas. He and Len Yang actually train a lot together in Austin. Very good friends. They’ll be playing against each other because there is Aiden Shank. That is Jack Monroe’s partner in this tournament. and dump you referenced earlier this week. This could be a potential pairing that we will see moving forward. Correct. You know, Aiden Shank and Jack Ro good friends off the court and on the court and then they decided to team up for this tournament. Both needed that partner. And I said it two months ago. I’m like, you guys are going to make a nice run in New York. Well, doesn’t get much nicer than making a championship Saturday. Unless you come out on top, then it’s just better. Took the words right out of my mouth. The only way to make it better is to capture a gold medal. That is what Len Yang is trying to do. 21 years old, the Queens native. Such a good backstory, has spent so much time around sports his entire life and now really reaching the upper echelons of this sport. He playing alongside Thomas U who, Chad, as you mentioned, just finished up a successful tennis career at Johns Hopkins. Yeah, and I’ve been watching Thomas U so far this year predict uh predominantly on the singles side. Phenomenal singles player. his doubles game is coming along. So, watch for the ground strokes from you. Watch for the flicks from Len Yang. You know, these guys will surprise you. They’re going to try and come out and and be a little bit more aggressive, take some chances. The downside, Monroe knows Len Yang’s game pretty well. Couldn’t you conversely say that Yang knows Monroe’s game pretty well? Yes, you could say that. I think uh Monroe at this point is a little bit more wellrounded. Has the ability to change some things things up. Yang still a little one-dimensional at times. Side out. Quick side out to start. I’ve also got a chance to see a lot of Thomas U. Him being from the Pacific Northwest has come to our spot in Boisey a couple times to play some events and tournaments. So I’ve seen a lot of him. Love his game. A lot of upside. Missed return there. Monroe in shank. One. Oh, second serve. The two friends going right at each other. And Monroe trying to get his paddle out of the way right there, but goes off the edge. Guard. One2. Oh, silver. Oh, we got it. I mean, all three of us are like, “What? What?” Yeah, Shane tried to get his paddle out of the way and caught the caught the edge of it and still somehow went in. 202. Yeah, that was like 25 balls ago. Shanks starting it, but you was ready. That’s the power from you. and he’s sitting dead forehand right there on that counter. 021. Oo, ball didn’t come up. Nope. What I like from Shank and Monroe right now, too, is Aiden Shank is a very good communicator on the court. He’s constantly talking, saying, “You and me. Good set from Monroe right on the feet of Yang. Excellent setup there from Shank with the inside out forehand. Monroe saw it early. Knew that Yang was going to be stretched out. The only option was to go down the line. Shank puts it through the middle for another point. It’s three nothing for the two seeds. The difference right now, you’re going to see, I’d say, more drops from Shank and Monroe, but then attacks on fifths. you and and and and Yang are going to try and drive that third and then attack that fifth. Not again. That is a shot that Aiden Shank has been working on so much over the last year. And it’s that two-handed backhand roll and it sets up Monroe perfectly. But the difference right now is how much ball movement Shank and Monroe are getting. Yang and you are really just trying to hold on. They’re putting balls back in the middle or just bumping it down the line. Not really putting any pressure on Monroe and Shank. 402. Sneaky little thing. But that’s the spot to go in Shane. Yep. because he’s sitting trying to pancake that. You watch him, he’ll sit heavy forehand and then if you go behind him, he’s trying to get over and get on top of that. You almost can’t get there. Yang puts it through the middle as they have their first point of the match. Yeah, that backhand flank is not going to work crosscourt there for Shank. Yang sitting there, quick hands, so strong with that backhand flick. Second serve the net. Second serve on the way. Yeah, right now you just getting frustrated with, you know, his drive and not saying the ball’s bouncing to him. Again, that you have to make your adjustment. He’s got to get lower. Look at that. That that pressure dink right there from Shank. This is not Patty Cake out here. And if Yu and Yang are gonna play patty cake dink, they’re going to get eaten alive right there from the aggressive dinking from Shank and Monroe. Monero able to get a paddle on him but sends it into the VIP behind championship court. Good hands right there from Yang and then good leave. Oh sh took the full swing. Oh my goodness. How many balls you have to hit to win a point? This is incredible. Some great hands from all four of these gentlemen out here. Gentlemen, kids like like it’s unreal. 20. Oldest player out here is Thomas U at 23. There’s that pancake. That’s a danger for L Yang right there. He loves that backhand flick. Sometimes he takes it from too low. That instance right there, he’s fully outstretched. Tried to rush it because he knew that Monroe was hovering. Monroe pushes that one long. Yeah, if Shank’s going to go crosscourt with that roll, he’s got to keep it tight to the net, not allow Yang to reach in like you said, Chad, with that backhand and flick it cuz he’s looking for it. Wear it. Aiden Shank 34. Yeah, Shank just sitting too heavy forehand right there. Yang goes crossbody. [Applause] Three, four, two. Yeah, ball going to go long. Monroe trying to tell Shank that’s going out, but again, it’s that center mass. It’s almost impossible for him to get out of the way. That being Aiden Shank the center. He jumped. You was flying across the court, put the pressure on, created the pop up, and Yang, like you said, Dom, jumps, got on top of it too much. Uh-oh. Should have just lobbed him. Replay that. Sorry. Replay the point as some of the signage at the back of championship court blew forward. It’s getting a little windy here. All right, here we go. We do have winds of nearing 30 or excuse me 20 miles an hour. Puts it crosscourt. Second serve on the way. Oh, Shank said it. As soon as he hit that up, he goes, “No.” Well, even Yang’s ability right here to reach in and create such a sharp angle off this flip. Monroe sends it long off of the third. So, a good hold for Yang and Yu who have settled in nicely here in this opening game. 441. Excellent set up there from Yang. Goes deep behind the left foot of Shank. Only thing he can do is go down the line. And a quick reaction from you for the onie. Wow, what a late move from him, too. He waited till the last second. Wow. The A has unveiled the inaugural Breakthrough Series schedule. The Breakthrough Series is dedicated to upandcoming pro players committed to taking the next step in their careers and amateur players looking to test their skills. The series will be visiting Boise, Utah, Georgia, Detroit, and New Jersey in 2025. Check out the ap.global for more information. Alen Yang and Jack Monroe, two players that know each other very well and have had very good results playing together even though today they find themselves on opposite sides of the net. Yeah, like you talked about, Yang has been out training with Jack Monroe in Austin. Yang and Monroe took gold at the US Open a couple of weeks ago. That was kind of Yang’s shining moment right there. People were questioning whether they were going to be able to do it. And yeah, I was lucky enough to be on the call for those matches. The nerves had set in in the semifinals, but then when Yang came out in the finals, that’s where he really cleaned up the errors. And you can see it here now with Yang and Yu making a run through this draw. He was also the one that mixed doubles that took out the beloved Andre Agassi. Monroe putting it through the middle. Second serve. Good job by Shank getting that ball out of the air on the high third allowing Monroe to come in and attack. 542. Rushed it out. You see Yang going through the motion of the back hand. Yeah, that ball needs to be more of a more of a punch or a flick through. He just flick the wrist straight down, straight across the body. What a placement right at the feet of Monroe. Yeah, good spot. Almost got Monroe moving forward a little bit. Tries to switch hands to the right hand and get that, but ends up getting behind him just enough. Look at it away. Wow. Good deep overhead there from you. 541. Yeah, it’s just not the right spot. Not on the backhand side. Monroe knew it as soon as he hit it, too. He was just like, you could almost see it written on his face like that’s not the right spot to go there. Six straight points for Yang and Yu. That’s a good aggressive return there from Aiden Shank. Again, got to put pressure on them right now. They’re not. That’s how they’ve got back in this. Chad talked about the aggressive thinking. You know, we were discussing. It’s kind of gone away here. Shank finds a better spot to force the side out. Shank trying to fire himself up here right now, too. Good roll. Got that ball low. How do Monroe Shank get back to that aggressive dinking? settle the point down first, get a good third in, and then allow themselves to hit that. I just I didn’t like that speed up from Monroe. I It’s just not the right time when you have, you know, Yu and Yang feeling it right now. Their hands are good right now. They’re on top of balls. Take that ball out of the air, roll it aggressively out out wide rather than kind of being a borderline speed up. Oh, the easiest one. Fine. It’s not a ball that you see Jack Monroe miss very often. No, not at all. And again, the easiest ball of everything right there. He misses. 641. And that one sails. Rare to see this many errors coming out of the Monroe game. Missed return has pushed it to a three-point lead for Yang and Yu. Shank catches Yang in the hand. Flamingo action right there. Yeah, and it’s what Shank does really well. He hides the ball, you know, on his contact point late. 742. So right there too almost looked like he was going to go at you. Ends up going a little crosscourt. Yeah, it’s snuck it crosscourt to force the side out. What a spot. That’s what Monroe should have done with the previous speed up when we’re talking about it’s it’s net high. Yang and Yu have really good hands right now. Shen reaches in, takes that ball out of the air, but he’s aggressive with the roll. doesn’t give Yang any reaction time. Oh. Oh, shank that ball well on its way out. Thought about letting it go and then decided to hit it. Yep. When you decide that late, you’re behind it. Because you’re behind it, ball’s going to go long. The miss serve there from Shank who gives a long stare down at the paddle. 741 off pace. Little off pace speed up right there. Didn’t fully speed it up. If he does use all over that counter, but because it dipped a little bit Nice reset. Great. I mean, his timing too on a split step. Just deadens it up nicely. Drops it in right here on this. Look at the split step. The timing is perfect. Same guy. Sorry, Thomas. Miss serve from Mu, but a four-point lead here in game number one. Oh, almost moved. Monroe again coming up short as he’s moving backwards. But Yang and Yu are now moving the ball around a lot more. They’re keeping Monroe and Shay off balance. you has been able to get a couple of deeper balls back behind the backhand of Monroe. Now Monroe trying to make something happened right there. Unfortunately, you’re not going to get four points back on one ball and he goes long on that little two-handed backhand. Yang calling it out as soon as it left the paddle. Missed third. They’re seeing the difference right here. Monroe and Shanks started off third drops, attacking fifths. Now it’s Yu and Yang that are dropping more thirds and then coming in and attacking off that. There it was again. It’s a drop third to attack fifth and then the long counter on the sixth. Yeah, and a good spot right there from Yang as well. Flat into the body of Monroe. Elbow a little high so he flicks it deep. Shank able to get the crawler. Second serve. And if you’re Shank and Monroe, you need any help that you can get at this point. Well, you’re not going to deny it. That’s for sure. I hear Yang telling you right here cuz they’re so close to us. He goes, “They need it.” Trying to keep his partner’s confidence up here. Confusion in the middle there from Shank and Monroe. You was sitting dead red. Second serve. 492. Grow again into the tape. Another strong defensive stand for Yuan Yang. As soon as they get the serve back, it seems to disappear on them. [Music] Great. She was like, “What is I had it? I was back.” Yang trying to come over, help out his partner after he got pulled out wide off the court. Was that your hand that we saw in the Jack tried to to put one in the booth? Oh no. And then Shank jumps on the counter. Yeah. Standing up too tall right there. Brings up a game point. 1042. 10 run. Yes, it is. Oh, neck on neck. That double neck cord lands out of bounds. 11 unanswered for Yang and Yu. They are one game away from capping their magical run with a gold. [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Music] 16 years from today, Greg Gersonner will finally land the perfect cannonball Unsuspecting friends, check. Epic water displacement, big check. A work of art that’s only possible because Greg is already meeting all these same people at AP volunteer and community events. They’ll keep Greg active, involved, and mischievous. And help make sure his happiness lives as long as he does. That’s why the younger you are, the more you need AAP. This is pickle ball. It’s fun. It’s exhilarating. It’s healthy. It’s how I met my friends. It’s how I met my community. It’s how I met my goals. It’s how I won it all. Pickle ball is for all. Become a member for free at us pickleball.org. You’re 0 for 15 against your daughter because of your toenail bruises and blisters, but she doesn’t care because she’s got the win. So, what do you do? You get RTP socks with small grip pads inside and out. Your feet will be planted and painfree. So, the next time you can show her that her old man still got it. Nice shot. And that would be a W for me. Shouldn’t have told you about those socks. That’s what you get for holding out on me. Double or nothing. Road to Pro. Official sock of the A tour. The A is sponsored by Sketchers Pickle Ball. Experience comfort that performs. Lakeold, the official and exclusive court surface of the A Tour. And Classic Pickles, official pickle of the A Tour. What a change of pace for Yang and Yu. They ripped off 11 straight to take game one 114. Well, again, they flipped the script and all of a sudden they wanted to come out playing with a ton of pace. All of a sudden, they said that wasn’t working to start. So, then they started dropping some thirds and attacking fifths and that’s what got them in it. And then you had Monroe and Shank trying to shoot their way out and it just didn’t work. They need to do what got them there early and it was drop those thirds and then come in and tack those fifth and create a nice long point and like Chad mentioned early on move those dinks around aggressively. 15 seconds. Len Yang originally from Queens spent so much time. He has that table tennis background. Moved to pickle ball just a few years ago. now just one game away from a gold medal alongside his partner Thomas U. Yep. Yep. Monroe ready for the speed up. The longer the point draws out, the more advantage it is for Monroe. And if they continue to do that, continue to elongate points, it’s going to sit more in their advantage. They’re attacking hard, right? He sees his drop was like halfway decent. Comes in through transition, attacks. Hey, good spot there. Right into that right of Lang Yang. Look at that. There’s an aggressive dink again. Just again, it’s they’re starting off exactly how they started game one, but nearly point for point. They started game one on a four nothing run. How do they keep this up though? Because that was the issue in the opening game. Stay stay mentally strong. Don’t get back on the heels. Don’t try and play outside of their game, which is that move the ball around. Get ready. Anticipate. Oh, that ball was destroyed on the back hand from Aiden Shank. I want to know what the exit VO was on this. Yes, please give me that. Are you sure we’re not playing over at City Field? Oh man. Oh. Oh, Shank again getting a pass on an out ball. Yeah, that ball was well above his head right there. Yeah, it’s easier said than done. You’re in a hand exchange and all these guys are countering and attacking. Well, me, you, who? No one in the middle. Wow. Okay, I like it, D. Throw it out. I like it. Good counter here from Monroe. Gets on top. Oh, push off. So, right here, here’s the setup, too. When Monroe and Shank are receiving and they’re returning, return to the backhand of Len Yang. If they do, Len has not sped up a third off his backand. He’s dropped every third off his backand. That just plays into the advantage of Monroe and Shank because then it slows the point down and they’re able to construct. Look out swivel in the VIP. Monroe going crossbody elevated on the forehand because Yang is sitting so heavy on that backhand. By the time he gets that paddle over to the forehand, it’s well behind him. Oh no, just f it to him. Just fatt it to him right there. Monroe just trying to bump this over as close to net as he can go turn by you. 6 nothing in favor of Monroe and Shank. Big heavy top spin serve there from Shank. 62 off the edge guard. What have they not done once hit a third shot drop? Yeah, I won. Timeout taken by Yang and Yu as Monroe and Shank up big in game number two. We’re going to step away as well for a word from our sponsors. See you, hun. Dad, let’s fix that knee. I’ll make an appointment. For more natural feel and a faster recovery, we’re going to use Rosa Robotics and Persona, a personalized name. Remember your exercises, Dad. Looking like yourself again. Feeling like it, too. Are you ready to meet your grandpa? Humanana Medicare Advantage plans. Carry this card and you could have the power to unlock benefits beyond original Medicare. With a Humanana Medicare Advantage plan, you could get doctor, hospital, and prescription drug coverage in one convenient plan. Most plans include routine dental, vision, even hearing benefits. There’s also a cap on your out-ofpocket medical expenses. That’s more than you get with original Medicare, and Humanana offers 0 or low monthly plan premiums. Call now. 15 seconds. Back to action in game two of our men’s doubles gold medal match. Yang and Yu running off 11 straight to take the opening game 11 to four. But Monroe and Shank with a point to prove here in game number two. Well, they’ve come out made their adjustments. They’re working the point longer. They’re not trying to force the issue like they were in game one. Monroe all over it. It’s an eight nothing lead. We got Yang right there trying to make something happen. That ball’s shallow in the kitchen trying to reach and take that out of the air. Oh, Shanks sends it long. He’s on it. I don’t know if that ball from you was going to stay in though. True. 081. That was the closest out ball that Shanks hit so far in the match. Yang through the middle. There’s the backhand flick. Very pro Yu and Yang crowd here. Len Yang had a huge crowd here last year where they made that run through the tournament, ended up losing in the quarterfinals. [Applause] Well, he is from Queens. Yep. A hometown crowd. 281. Nice counter there from Shank. This time stays grounded. Doesn’t jump up on it. [Applause] 282. not able to make the pick up. Just a off-paced ATP there from Yang. Doesn’t really hit it too hard. One of the slowest ATPs you’ll see. And then Shank misses the bunny. It’s four straight for Yu and Yang. Well, game of runs. Four, then 11, then eight, then four. Shane gets on top through the middle to force the side out. Hesitation there by you. He didn’t He seemed a little a little bit more flat here in game two. We’ve seen him back on his heels kind of just standing upright on some of those balls. 841. Oh, Monroe off the edge. Guard Yang able to catch it just by him. Well, he got what he was looking for right there, but it it didn’t get into his body as much as he wanted. It was just outside his reach on this second right there. Oh, that was nice. Keeps it inside the sideline right there with the inside out forehand. Just on the inner part of the line. 942 Good spot there from Monroe. Medium pace ball down the line and it brings up a game point for Monroe and Shank. 1042. into the tape. So, Yang and Yu able to stand strong. Ambitious. Yeah, I was going to say Shank needs to allow Monroe to work that point a little bit more there. He’s fully outstretched on that reach in. Yang puts it underneath the Battle of Monroe for the point. Well, great job by Yang right there not overhitting either one of those balls. He sets up the second one by hitting the offpace first one and then just hits his spot for the winner. 5 10 1 Oh the cross up from Shank going outside of the right foot. He had you leaning as soon as he went to take that forehand. You opened up to the forehand and then got late back late to the backhand. Lightning fast. That’s a good flick from Len Yang, but Monroe read it perfectly. His anticipation is off the chart. Gets that ball back on Yang quickly. Monroe tease off into the net it goes. And we will go the distance after Monroe and Shank take game number two 11 to five. Humanana Medicare Advantage plans. 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[Music] When you choose the James at Ohio State, you’re choosing access to the James dedicated support services and an unmatched survivorship program for your cancer care. The choice is clear. The James at Ohio State. The APB is sponsored by Partake Brewing. Non-alcoholic brews crafted for those who make it happen. Penetrax, daily joint and muscle care you can feel good about. And Humanana, the official healthcare partner of the A Tour. A tale of two different games. Yu and Yang taking game one 114 before Monroe and Shank taking game two 115. Well, I think in game one, Monroe and Shank were trying to trying to press a little too much and then Yang and Yu, it would kind of match their fast pace that they were looking for. Game two for me, the difference was not one, the third shot drive from Jack Monroe and Aiden Shank. They dropped everything. They worked the point. They got in and they elongated points. We said it, if they elongate points, it’s their advantage. And they did a great job of that in game number two. 02 [Applause] Yang into the tape side out. Yeah, it’s too quick on the flick there from Yang. Needs to be more of a roll. Stay on the paddle a little bit longer. Leaves it and watches it fall in the back corner. Wind knocks it down a little bit right there. Breeze helping out Yang. 002. Well time gust for Len Yang here on championship court. Make it. That was close. Got to get that side out. Side out. I I’m I’m getting sometimes a little confused. He’s saying you. That’s his name. Yeah. And so it’s you you 001 you you [Applause] [Music] pays dividends. Yeah. Again, you see Shank drop down, try to hit that half score pancake right there. But because of the elevation there on the speed up from you creates that ball forces to miscommunication, I’d like Monroe to take just finish it because he started it. He knew he was speeding that up. Gets the popup. 2011 catches the edge guard for the second time in this match. Well, great job of slowing the pace down and it was a tough ball that Monroe did that on because Yang had him backside. He resets it nicely. Gets back into the point. Oh my Yang off balance right there. Knew he was he was in trouble. Little flick and a good counter. Shank puts it deep down the middle to force the side out. But what did you say earlier about a game of runs, Chad? That’s only three. I mean, it’s not. Is that a run? Not fully a run yet. It’s a baby run. Dribble. It’s a drip. I think I think four. Four. Four is a four constitutes a run. Okay. How about this? Is the first time that Yang and you have gotten on the board first. How you do? You [Applause] shank into the net. Ball movement from both sides right there. Excellent job from Thomas Ute going cross moving that ball down the line. 50 shot rally on that one. 032. There it is. able to make the adjustment, switches hands, and gets the point. Chad and I do that. We’re the paddle. We’re going to drop the paddle. Oh, absolutely. I mean, one, yeah, I might as well just just hit an inside out forehand, let alone trying to hit a left-handed overhead. Out. Side out as Monroe gets caught moving forward. The confusion in the third threw that point off just enough for Shank and Monroe. His timing was off. They do answer. Get one back. 311 for the third shot drive. It’s in the net. 312. No, what a good get from Mang off the backhand side. Yeah, that little speed up right there down the line from Monroe was nice. Yang able to reset and had a ton of spin on it. When Monroe tried to reset it, it comes off his paddle and rolls out. Yang wins the hands battle. It’s 5-1. Game two when Monroe and Shank go on the big run. It’s not an unnecessary speed up. They’re moving the ball around. They get an elevated ball and they go right here. Shank and they did that in game one as well. Shanks trying to speed up off the bounce on a ball that’s back behind him. Mhm. He’s on his heels. You just can’t do that right there. 512. So, why aren’t they choosing the wrong ball to speed up? They’re pressing a little bit right now. Yang through the middle as we go to the end change. Yang and Yu leading six to one back and forth. Yeah. So, usually right when you feel that momentum shift, you try to elongate a point, move the ball around or what. Monroe and Shank, they’re trying to press, they’re trying to create something from nothing. When they feel the pressure, they need to kind of do the opposite. get back into those elongated points, move the balls around. The six of eight matches that Yang and Yu have played in this tournament, including the qualifying draws, that has gone to three games, and they are now inching closer to capturing a gold medal here in New York. Len Yang, the Queens native, dropped out of Cornell to pursue a pro pickle ball career, just 21 years old. really started going after in 2023. Was a top ranked table tennis and pingpong player growing up, has really made his mark here this year. Meanwhile, his partner Thomas U just wrapping up a successful career at John’s Hopkins. Played alongside his twin brother James for the Blue Jays. Let’s go. It would be fitting if Yang were able to pull off the gold medal. He was a volunteer here two years ago. 612 now on championship court side out. Those are so tempting those high balls to try and get on top of especially as a tennis player because you have so much room to hit that right. But now in pickle ball, if you don’t get re on top of that a lot right there, that ball’s gonna sail along just like it did. Yang’s hands have been so impressive today. Second serve. Yeah. Again, it’s the speed up. Almost a little bit of an unnecessary speed up right there from, you know, the side of Shank and Monroe. One, excuse me. 162. Oh, it’s in. Yep. Oh, what? Hey, when things are going your way, they’re going your way. They’re going your way. And right now, everything going the way of Yang and Yu. Somehow, you get a paddle on it inside out. turns into the perfect offensive block. Yang there for that counter just off the tape about an inch from being perfect down the middle. Speeds it up on the right hip of Yang. But smart there from Shank. He thought about speeding up. shows to roll a ball, work one more, gets a higher ball and then can be aggressive. That’s good. Oh, Monro all over with the counter. Got got away with it because of the hands of Monroe. Yeah, I got an eye on Jim Shank. Is Aiden Shank’s dad up on the top row? He’s up top standing over here pacing back and forth. He hasn’t stopped rocking for three games. You made the move for the Ernie. It’s a good spot. Timeout taken by Yu and Yang as Monroe and Shank have trimmed the deficit in half. Thomas U 23 years old from Kirkland, Washington. 118 career wins at John’s Hopkins. That’s eighth most all time in Blue Jays history. He does have a medal on the AP tour now trying to make it two and a golden one at that. Yeah, he’s a big hitter. I mean, you can tell like his tennis stroke was a good stroke and you could just see his lankiness, right? So, he gets nice and long, creates a lot of power, does it in his pickle ball drive. I’m sure he hit the heck out of the ball in tennis and was an incredible player at John Hopkins. Yang and Yu taking a timeout here in game number three. Receivers, back to back points from Monroe and Shen. It’s still a three-point lead for Yang and Yu, but we have seen this match be a game of runs back and forth. Yang and Yu took the opening game 11-4, ripping off 11 straight points. Monroe and Shank taking game number two 115. Time in 361. Shank and Monroe on serve. Oh. Oh, nice. What a reset. It’s in What a point. Oh my goodness. Dorian is having a connection right here. She’s up. She’s down. She Wow. Hanging on every point. Listen, it’s me and the rest of the fans here on championship court. That was a tremendous point. What a third there from Shank. Nice and aggressive. Monroe follows it in. back within 462. Not not the right spot there from Monroe. He’d gotten Yang on the right hip a couple of times. this time going to go trying to go down the line hoping that Yang was sitting on the forehand. 641. Oh, that ball just shaving the net. Inside out, forehand dink. Aggressive think from Aiden Shank. He had Yang leaning just enough to the middle anticipating the speed up. Just wide. It was close. It was close. Yang looked at you and you go, “Yeah, it was just wide. You think Aiden Shank’s excited about this right now? He wants this as bad as anybody. Shank puts it through the middle. They’re back within one. And you’re talking about a kid named Shank. You’re talking about how he wants it. You’re talking about someone who no tennis background, is an athlete, you know, did competitive rock climbing like that was his thing, right? And that’s where he came from. Competitive rock climbing straight to pickle ball. And this is where he’s at right now. Good patience. We’re tied at six. Excellent patience there from Monroe. lets that point develop, lets the ball get out past that net post. Aggressive on the ATP, right at the ankles of Len Yang. Oh, Yang hung up in the air, sent it long. Another point for Monroe and Shank as they are out in front. Big Mo on the side of Monroe and Shank at being momentum here. Surprise. No time out for you. Yeah, completely. 6-1 lead on the end change. Now down. Oh, you’s like, forget this. I’d like to see you be a little bit more aggressive here. Take some some opportunities to speed up on Shank. Elevated like he did just there. How did you do? Nice dig. Oh, patience pays off. Monero with the winner. This slap winner down the middle. No back swing, nothing. just going bring it and I got this covered. Yeah. Watch how fast Monroe is on this counter. Perfect positioning. Gets on top. Like you said, Dom just goes back. Everything goes back through the ball. Not going to 862. Seven-point run. Still no timeout. Yang puts it at the feet of Shank. Able to get back on serve. now trailing by two. Huge run right there from Shank and Monroe. And Shank all smiles right now. You Oh, Shank read it off the paddle. So after that first speed up about maybe four or five points ago from Thomas U, Aiden Shanks been almost at the ready anticipating that. Now what Thomas needs to do is if he’s going to speed that up, he’s got to go right down the line. He’s got to try and get to Shanks backhand because Chad said it in game one, he sits so heavy forehand. Oh, we might get a challenge on this one. Called wide on the court. So players cannot ask the referee. They have to challenge referee time out challenging the call to disagree with that call there from Shank. The up call puts us at and we talk about it all the time, Chad, is that might as well at the very worst you lose a challenge and it’s a free timeout. Lead ref in this men’s doubles match. Kent Skunover, Aaron McCarthy, our tracking ref, and Pam Graves, our video referee. Pam in the booth right next to us. Checking things out. Very close. Yeah, it looks close. Don’t ask Dorian. Uh, I mean, if I guess No, I’m not. Nope. Nope. Nope. It looks close. It looks close. It could go either way. Very close. We’ll leave it up to the video ref. So, the call on the court would make it a side out with Monroe and Shank on serve leading 861. Should the call be overturned, it would be 782. And it seems like just a point difference, but it’s so much more, especially when you’re talking about games of momentum and the fact that Yang and you haven’t scored since the end change where it was 6-1. After review, the ball is out. So, the call on the court stands. Time out. Two challenges remaining. [Applause] The crowd doesn’t agree with the call. Hey, it’s a very pro. You and Yang crowd. They want that call. They need that call. The Yang, the hometown hero here on championship court. I take it back. They don’t need that call. They wanted that. They wanted They wanted that call. But you know where I was going with that. Well, I mean, they kind of do need that call to break the the drought that they’ve had right now since the end change. Like you said, Dorian up 61. Dropping a little few good men reference right there. Yes. Yes, I got you, man. It’s right over her head. I’ve never seen that either. Goodness gracious. Dorian, one of these days, we’ve got to make a list for you. Yeah. If you didn’t go to bed so early, in bed by 6:30. Not true. Okay. 6:45. 7:30. Go too long off the back of Monroe. Second serve. It was a slower flip from Yang though. So Monroe got a little bit bigger. Soon as that paddle went back behind him, it came out flat. Y got it. You tried to take it out of the air. stood up and actually almost like got a little lazy right there. We’ve seen that a couple of times out of you, especially on that backhand side. Yang and Yu having a conversation is now they’re trailing by three. 962 changed his changed it up. Changed it up and changed the spot. He was looking down at the court. It had nothing to do with the court right there. He was fooled. Yeah, he was looking speed up in the middle. Straight to the forehand. Yeah, it had nothing to do with the court there. Championship point for Monroe and Shake. 1062. Got it. You got it. If Jack can change the pattern up just a little. [Applause] I know. Oh my goodness. Yang elevates it on Shank this little jump here and he’s like, “Oh, he’s just going to flick it now.” 610. Oh, we got it. Oh, little slap. Get off me. Off the court into the body of Yang. And Monroe and Yang having a laugh up at the net. Dang’s like, “What was that?” Monroe was a little stupid. What I’m saying for Monroe, I want him to change up the pattern just a little bit. Go take one down or go to Yang’s inside foot. Yeah. Or use inside foot. That was a tie [Applause] on the little reach in there from Shank. Snaps a nine-point run. First point on the end change since they’ve changed ends right there. Shane stepping across forces the side out. Perfect read because he had you extended trying to take that ball out of the air. So Shank reads it perfectly. Steps in, puts it away. Championship point number two, 1071. [Music] Oh, just up. Excellent communication of the court in Queens. Aiden Shank and Jack Monroe are golden. Excellent communication there from Monroe. You saw him letting Shank know when it was high, when it was good to go. Fantastic adjustment after losing game one. Take a quick break and be back here at the Zimmer Biomet New York City Open. [Music] Life is always changing and our Loveack couch adapts to it all. Gathering around for game day in one moment, reconfiguring for entertaining the next, and tomorrow, a new look entirely. It’s always there to help us relax and recharge no matter the moment. It’s exactly what we need it to be because Love Zack adapts to life, our life. [Music] [Applause] [Music] At the botist, we always look further, seeing potential where others may not. We sustainably handforest 22 Isa botanicals to make a beautifully balanced gin capturing the essence of our Scottish island home. Consciously crafted by our community to be enjoyed by yours. Look [Music] further. [Music] Hey, hey, hey. Zimmer biome recovery moment of the match. Ched, I mean, it’s the last point of game three. It’s just fitting. Well, and it all comes down to communication there of Monroe. Ball’s high. Balls high. Now he finally gets one down. A good pressure and a fantastic result. Aiden and Jack courtside with Darren Craft. Jack Aiden. Congratulations on your gold medal, Jack. I’ll start with you. You guys were down 6-1 at the end change there in game number three. What was the conversation during the switching sides? First of all, big shout out to the A. I know weather was, you know, a little bit iffy, but this venue right here, this AP setting this entire thing up. This has been an amazing show, but uh I mean at the timeout, the end switch helps just mentally reset, change strategy, and then from there, I mean it was just a lot more trust. I mean, like you you saw game two, there was a lot of confidence, a lot of trust, and then getting that back. As soon as he got that back, we were riding. Well, let’s be honest. The two of you gave us a show there in that last game. Aiden, this is a new pairing. You heard Jack talk about the trust, but what else makes this pairing so good for the two of you? He just he has so much confidence and he fills me with confidence every time I play with him. He’s unbelievable on the court. He’s a super positive partner and he allows me to play my best. And this guy’s the king of New York. He won it last year. He won it again this year. And it’s just a blast to play with him. So, I hope we can do this more in the future. and I had a lot of fun today. Aiden, led me right into my next question because Jack, you won this tournament last year with Mario Bianto. So, it’s kind of your coming out party. You have been a force on tour since then. What does this moment tell you about your journey in the last year? It’s huge. It’s more validation. I don’t lose points year over year, thank God. But now, um, I mean, it shows that we’re here to stay. I mean, Aiden also, he was, you know, in NextGen. He ended up beating me. And so, being able to bring him up here and do the same, I mean, every single all four players on the court are here to stay. Well, we look forward to seeing a lot more of both of you in the future. Aiden Shank, Jack Monroe, your gold medalists in men’s doubles here in New York. Well, great job from Aiden Shank. And Jack Monroe, Jack obviously been a mainstay on Championship Sundays and this weekend, Saturday. Uh Aiden Shank, I said it before, I think he’s going to be a mainstay coming up in the future. He’s looking really good, Chad. Yeah, Shank finally got that first one under his belt. can only go up from here. We’ll take a quick break and return with more action from the Zimmerat A New York City Open.