Championship Sunday in Kansas City was a special one for fans and players alike given what is going on in the world of pickleball right now. It only felt right that we got to see some of the games best go at it for the right to hoist the PPA Tour trophy. Let’s dive into all five matches that took place today.
Mixed Doubles Championship: (1) Ben Johns/Anna Leigh Waters vs (2) Riley Newman/Jessie Irvine
The top mixed doubles team in pro pickleball came out as the first match of the day and made a statement. They didn’t just win they dominated as they allowed just 4 points over 3 games to secure their 11th title of the year together. Anna Leigh’s ability to cover the court and create offense from just about anywhere was too much for Newman and Irvine and had them on their toes most of the match.
Men’s Doubles Championship: (1) Ben Johns/Matt Wright vs (2) JW Johnson/Dylan Frazier
This was one of the more intriguing matchups of the day with Matt Wright in the fold and turned out to be a great back and forth battle. Johns and Wright got off to fast starts in each and every game but Johnson and Frazier never wavered as they made nurmerous runs of their own. In the end though it was too much shot making and versatility from Ben Johns as he and Wright took home gold winning the match 11-8, 9-11, 11-7, 11-3.
Women’s Doubles Championship: (1) Anna Leigh Waters/Catherine Parenteau vs (2) Anna Bright/Meghan Dizon
We talked about Bright/Dizon in previous recaps being a team that could potentially push Waters/Parenteau given their firepower and they did just that. After game 2 we were all tied 1-1 but Waters/Parenteau were able to find their top gear in games 3 and 4 to close out the match 11-3, 11-4.
Men’s Singles Championship: (1) Ben Johns vs (3) Tyson McGuffin
I’ll never get tired of a Ben Johns vs Tyson McGuffin Sunday battle for gold. Johns heading into the match lead the series between the two 13-1 but McGuffin is playing some of the best singles of his career right now. However, Ben was able to keep Tyson from getting the crowd involved early as he won game 1 11-2. In game 2 it was much more competitive as McGuffin was able to find more forehands and execute on his passing shots. In the end Ben was just too tough as he ended the match on an inside out forehand drop that has become one of his signature shots.
Women’s Singles Championship (1) Anna Leigh Waters vs Catherine Parenteau
Having played two matches earlier in the day Waters did look a bit winded in this match but she is #1 in women’s singles for a reason. Anytime a match gets tight she is able to dig deep and find her best. She did just that as she beat Parenteau 11-6, 11-9 to claim her 11th singles title of the year.
