It was a hot and windy day at the Darlington Tennis Center in Las Vegas. Head referee Don Stanley was out on several courts getting a gauge for the wind as many pros were asking for a stop in play due to the conditions. However the mixed doubles draw was completed and the fans were treated to some tremendous matches. Let’s break it down below.
Mixed Doubles Championship: Top seeds prevail, Ignatowich/Parenteau fall in semis
Outside of Ben Johns/Anna Leigh Waters and the Johnson siblings, eyes were on both MLP teammates Hayden Patriquin/Anna Bright and James Ignatowich/Catherine Parenteau. Ignatowich/Parenteau last played together in early 2023, winning the title at the Indoor Championships in Minnesota. The #3 seeds Patriquin/Bright fell early in the round of 16 to Andrei Daescu/Meghan Dizon in three games. Ignatowich/Parenteau were able to make a run all the way to the semifinals, losing to the Johnson siblings in three games.
It will once again be a final between the top two seeds. Ben Johns/Anna Leigh Waters continued their winning streak with wins over Hunter Johnson/Tyra Black, Quang Duong/Allyce Jones and eventually Christian Alshon/Etta Wright in the semifinals. It took them three games to get the job done in the semifinals over the Texas Ranchers teammates but as they always seem to do they responded to a tight game 2 loss with a strong game 3.
The Johnson siblings have separated themselves a bit since the Ignatowich/Bright split. They are in back to back finals. After dropping their first game of the day to AJ Koller/Alix Truong they breezed the rest of the way. Jorja Johnson was especially strong getting her team to the kitchen line on serve and allowing her brother to clean up on her offensive speedups. We’ll see if they can push the top seeds on Sunday,
On the Horizon
Gender doubles action will begin at 11AM PT on PickleballTV and the PPA’s Youtube Channel. Don’t miss out as it should be another fantastic day of matches.
