The PPA Takeya Showcase concluded on Sunday with more parity than we have seen in sometime on Championship Sunday. Pickleball fans have been itching for different matchups on Sunday and that is exactly what we got. Let’s take a closer look at all five finals matches that took place at Los Cab.
Mixed Doubles Championship: Waters & Johns Make it Double Digits
The day kicked off on CBS with Ben Johns and Anna Leigh Waters taking home their 10th gold medal together in mixed doubles. They avenged their loss from earlier in the year where it was the Johnson siblings that sent them home early at the Carvana Grand Slam back in February. After a slow start in game 1 Ben & Anna Leigh found their rhythm winning in straight games 11-6, 11-4, 11-8.
Women’s Singles Championship: Hurricane Tyra Black Claims Gold
Hurricane Tyra Black is one of the sport’s rising stars and she backed up her win over world #1 Anna Leigh Waters by beating both Lauren Stratman and Yana Newell to claim her first ever PPA gold medal. After a tough game 1 loss 11-13 she dug deep and found her best stuff to close the match out 11-8, 11-3.
Women’s Doubles Championship: Waters & Bright Remain Perfect
Lucy Kovalova and Callie Smith were arguably the toughest test of the year for the team of Waters and Bright but this is a team with too much talent and chemistry at the moment. For the second tournament in a row Waters and Bright fail to drop a game as they won their 7th title of the year together 11-5, 11-9, 11-6.
Men’s Doubles Championship: Frazier & Johnson Hot Streak Continues
Dylan Frazier and JW Johnson entered Sunday’s men’s doubles final on a 14-match win streak but they were 0-5 against the Johns brothers on the year. Something had to give in the final but it was the youngsters that brought the energy and the offense early to win a highly entertaining match in 4 games. Both Frazier and Johnson are playing the best pickleball of their careers and this win is a huge step for their partnership and should do a lot for their confidence in future matchups against the #1 men's doubles team in the world.
Men’s Singles Championship: Joseph’s Cinderella Story Ends with Gold
Gabriel Joseph has been around the pickleball scene for a while and has the talent to beat anyone on any given day. This was the tournament where he put it all together as he beat Federico Staksrud to cap off what was a magical run in the men’s singles draw. Joseph’s elite movement and shot making proved to be the difference as he won in straight games 11-6, 12-10.
On the Horizon
We’ll have a week off before the pros head to Brigham City Utah for the Tournament of Champions starting on August 15th. Follow the PPA’s social media for updates on streaming coverage as Utah is one of pickleball’s hottest hubs. The crowds and atmosphere should be electric.
