Today was the final day of the PPA Tour’s third stop of the season in Mesa, Arizona. Five championship matches were played in front of a packed house and were also streamed to a national broadcast as new fans around the world were introduced to pro pickleball’s brightest stars. Let’s get into the results and see who walked away with a trophy
Women’s Singles Championship: Waters Tops Brascia
Anna Leigh Waters got off to a hot start winning the first game 11-0 but Mary Brascia was able to settle in afterwards to make game two very competitive. Brascia was able to put more balls in play and force Waters into more extended rallies but in the end the #1 seed pulled away to seal the victory 11-8. Brascia has now secured back-to-back to silver medals and has to be happy about where her singles game stands heading into Minnesota in just a few short weeks.
Men’s Singles Championship: Johns Defeats Staksrud
Ben Johns secured his first men’s singles gold medal of the year by defeating #2 seed Federico Staksrud 11-8, 11-4. Johns was able to slow the game down and get into his preferred cat and mouse style, forcing Staksrud to outplay him from the kitchen line rather than the back of the court.
Mixed Doubles Championship: Johns/Waters Cruise to Another Victory
Ben Johns and Anna Leigh Waters had little trouble today with Thomas Wilson and Vivienne David as they walked away with an 11-4, 11-1, 11-9 victory. After suffering a defeat in last year’s PPA Mesa tournament they looked extra focused today. They played extremely disciplined from start to finish and didn’t allow the underdogs a chance to sink their teeth into the match.
Men’s Doubles Championship: Frazier & Johnson Take Gold
Frazier & Johnson ended the run of the #16 seeds Andrei Daescu and Gabe Tardio today in straight games 11-3, 11-9, 11-9. Daescu had been giving opponents trouble with his length and ability to reach in and create offense but that didn’t seem to affect the fast handed Dylan Frazier from the right side of the court. This forced the tempo of the match to slow down which was always going to favor the #2 seeds.
Women’s Doubles Championship: Parenteau/Waters Extend Streak
The closest match of the day was in the women’s doubles final. After a relatively easy first game, Dizon/Wright fought back and made a match of it. In the end Parenteau/Waters did what they do best and closed out two tight games to extend their winning streak to sixty-four in a row. Parenteau had her fingerprints all over this match from the get go, digging balls out from the mid court and being the rock that has made this partnership so special.
On the Horizon
The PPA Tour’s 4th stop will take place in Lakeville, Minnesota in a couple of a weeks at the Lifetime Fitness facility. As always be sure to follow the PPA on social media for updates on the schedule and order of play.
