In a one-of-a-kind event held at the Mandalay Bay convention center, the PPA Bubly Las Vegas Championships presented by MGM Rewards kicked off this morning. The much-anticipated event lived up to the hype, as professional tennis players and professional pickleball players combined to provide highlights that pushed the imagination as to what is possible for team formats, pro exhibitions, and the sport as a whole.
After an exciting Major League Pickleball draft for premier level teams took place from the venue last night, the sports’ top pros gave us a glimpse today of what is to come for team format pickleball in 2023. Top American tennis professionals John Isner, Sam Querrey, Jack Sock, and Donald Young all took the court today and led their respective teams in this unique event. Day 1 didn’t disappoint, and the current standings are as follows (NOTE: Each team will play three total matches by the end of play tomorrow. Team Isner and Team Young played two matches today and will play the remaining one tomorrow, whilst Team Querrey and Team Young played only one match today and will play the remaining two tomorrow).
Team Young:
8 points.
(3) Young, A.L. Waters & Devilliers def. Querrey, Kovalova & R. Newman 21-11, 21-17
(1) C. Smith & Grechkina Newell def. Meghan Dizon & Allyce Jones 21-11, 21-17
(3) Young, A.L. Waters & Devilliers def. Isner, Irvine & B. Johns 11-3, 11-7, 11-10
(1) Young & Devilliers def. Isner & Koller 16-14, 15-12
Team Isner:
6 points.
(3) Isner, Irvine & Koller def. Sock, Parenteau & M. Wright 16-14, 14-16, 15-13
(1) Jansen & L. Newman def. Tereschenko & E. Wright 15-10, 14-16, 11-2
(1) L. Newman & Jansen def. C. Smith & Newell Grechkina 15-11, 13-15, 11-10
(1) Deakin & B. Johns def. Dawson & Loong 15-9, 18-16
Team Sock:
2 points.
(1) S. Smith & Sock def. B. Johns & Isner 15-10, 15-11
(1) McGuffin & M. Wright def. Deakin & Koller 15-8, 14-16, 11-6
Team Querrey:
2 points.
(1) R. Newman & Querrey def. Young & Devilliers 21-11, 21-16
(1) C. Johns & P. Smith def. Dawson & Loong 21-17, 21-17
In the opening round of the event, Team Young secured 4 points and bested Team Querrey, who took only 2 points from the matchup. Donald Young, Anna Leigh Waters & Jay Devilliers combined to defeat Sam Querrey, Lucy Kovalova & Riley Newman 21-11, 21-17 to win 3 points from the round. Callie Smith & Grechkina Newell also gained a point for their team with a big win over Meghan Dizon & Allyce Jones.
In the second round of the day, Team Isner acquired 4 points to win their matchup against Team Sock, who gained 2 points from the round. Lea Jansen & Lindsey Newman kicked things off and earned 1 point by beating Irina Tereschenko & Etta Wright 15-10, 14-16, 11-2. Then, in an absolute thriller, John Isner, Jessie Irvine & AJ Koller defeated Jack Sock, Catherine Parenteau & Matt Wright 16-14, 14-16, 15-13. This mixed doubles matchup between Team Isner and Team Sock was fireworks from start to finish.
In the final round of action, Team Young collected their second victory of the day and acquired 4 points against a tough Team Isner, who left the matchup with 2 points respectively. Donald Young & Jay Devilliers earned a point outlasting the talented pairing of John Isner & AJ Koller 16-14, 15-12. Team Young then proved to be the better team in mixed doubles as Donald Young, Anna Leigh Waters & Jay Devilliers got the better of John Isner, Jessie Irivine & Ben Johns 11-3, 11-7, 11-10.
Holiday cheer was also in the air today, as fans from all across the country gathered at Mandalay Bay to take in top notch pickleball. One lucky fan even scored a pair of VIP tickets:
The PPA Bubly Las Vegas Championships continues tomorrow at 11am PT on Tennis Channel and PPA Tour Youtube Stream, as the point-leading Team Young is scheduled to face Team Sock, and Team Isner faces Team Querrey. Later in the evening, at 5pm PT, Team Sock and Team Querrey will face off after a much-anticipated surprise exhibition. Stay tuned!
