What a wild day of gender doubles. Is the depth of talent growing in pro pickleball? The question was answered with an exclamation point today as we saw a day full of upsets and thrillers. If you missed any of the action, we have got you covered.
Men’s Doubles Final: (3) JW Johnson/Dylan Frazier vs (5) Pablo Tellez/Federico Staksrud
JW Johnson & Dylan Frazier fresh off their men’s doubles title at the Beer City Open will have a chance to repeat for the first time this year as they cruised through the draw taking out (11) Ignatowich/Hewett 11-9, 11-2 in the QF before defeating (2) Devilliers/Wright 11-6, 11-2. Until Newman and Wright sort out new partnerships these two will be the main beneficiaries
On the other side Pablo Tellez and Federico Staksrud head into their 3rd men’s doubles final of the year. They took out (12) Loong/Lange 11-9, 12-10 in the round 16 before defeating (4) Newman/Arnold 7-11, 11-7, 11-4. In the semifinals they had a bit of an easier time against (9) DJ Young/Pat Smith winning 11-2, 11-6. Sunday’s men’s doubles final will be a rematch of the PPA Vulcan Championships back in February where JW & Dylan walked away with a straight game victory 11-6, 11-3, 11-7.
Women's Doubles Final: (1) Anna Leigh Waters/Anna Bright vs (7) Jackie Kawamoto/ Vivienne David
The freight train that is Anna Leigh Waters and Anna Bright kept on rolling Saturday as they defeated (8) Brascia/Brascia 11-9, 11-6 before beating (5) Irvine/Jade Kawamoto 11-5, 11-1. They will be looking for their 6th PPA title together on Sunday and their 2nd in a row, after winning gold in Denver two weeks ago.
Vivienne David and Jackie Kawamoto may have been the 7 seeds but both of these ladies have been absolute forces in women’s doubles this year. Sunday will be David’s 4th women’s doubles final on the PPA Tour with her 4th different partner. Kawamoto has made 4 women’s doubles finals in her last 6 non MLP events all with different partners as well. On Saturday they survived an early scare vs up and comers (10) Black/Valdes 10-12, 11-2, 11-7. They went on to defeat (2) Jansen/Schneemann 12-10, 11-4 in the QF before stamping their ticket to championship Sunday by taking out (6) Newell/Stratman 8-11, 11-6, 11-6 in the SF.
In Case You Missed It
Ben & Collin Johns took only their 2nd loss of the year together in men’s doubles at the hands of veterans (9) Young/Smith 11-4, 5-11, 7-11. Their record in PPA events moves to 48-2 on the year.
What’s on Deck:
Here is the schedule for championship Sunday (ESPN 9AM-11AM PST) (PPA YouTube 11am-onward)
Mixed Doubles Final: (1) Waters/Johns vs (2) Bright/Ignatowich
Men’s Doubles Final: (3) Johnson/Frazier vs (5) Tellez/Staksrud
Women’s Doubles Final: (1) Waters/Bright vs (7) David/Kawamoto
Men’s Singles Final: (1) Johns vs (2) Staksrud
Women’s Singles Final: (1) Waters vs (2) Jansen
