Tyson McGuffin returned to PPA Tour action today alongside fellow Selkirk pro Catherine Parenteau. The duo went undefeated throughout the day, setting the stage for a Championship showdown with top seeded Anna Leigh Waters & Ben Johns.
After a particularly memorable day of singles action kicked off the Professional Pickleball Association (PPA) Tour Florida Open yesterday, today the top professional pickleball players in the world returned to the venue in Holly Hill for mixed doubles play. Today also marked the return of the always entertaining Tyson McGuffin, who had taken a brief hiatus from the PPA Tour to heal up a minor foot injury. He returned like he had never left, teaming up with Catherine Parenteau to clinch a Championship Sunday opportunity. Today's action saw many of the top seeds get off to strong starts, build big leads, and close out their matches comfortably.
Below is your Mixed Doubles Championship matchup for Championship Sunday on March 12th:
(1) Anna Leigh Waters & Ben Johns vs. (3) Catherine Parenteau & Tyson McGuffin.
Waters & Johns:
Def. Emmrich & Emmrich 11-1, 11-2.
Def. Grechkina & Newell 11-4, 11-5.
Def. David & Wilson 11-7, 11-7.
Def. Irvine & Devilliers 11-4, 11-4.
Anna Leigh Waters and Ben Johns have been pushed recently by the growing pool of talented pickleball players coming into the game and climbing the PPA ranks, especially on the singles side of the game. Nevertheless, Waters and Johns looked to be the top team in the world today and cruised to another Championship Sunday without much resistance. The top seed won every match today in two games, an accomplishment that doesn't happen too often these days thanks to that growing talent pool of players and teams. Waters & Johns proved world-class and truly played at the top of their game today, looking steady and comfortable with their leads throughout the day.
The duo played especially aggressive today, feeling very confident and often taking risks that were repeatedly paying off. In fact, there were a few points throughout the day where Waters & Johns ended up switching sides due to both of their abilities to poach and play spectacular defense even when on the back foot. Limiting errors and capitalizing on virtually every high ball opportunity, Waters & Johns earned their way to Championship Sunday comfortably, and will be favored to bring home yet another PPA title together when they take on Catherine Parenteau & Tyson McGuffin.
"I love Jessie and Jay, they played really well to get to us and we've played them a lot in finals. They're a really good team," said Anna Leigh Waters. "I'm super glad me and Ben could get some revenge and get back to Championship Sunday."
Parenteau & McGuffin:
Def. Oshiro & Long 11-6, 11-8.
Def. Tavernier & Koszuta 11-8, 11-3.
Def. Bright & Ignatowich 11-2, 11-7.
Def. Johnson & Johnson 11-6, 11-0.
Catherine Parenteau & Tyson McGuffin returned to action today as the 3 seed in the bracket, blasting pickleballs with their Vanguard Power Air Invikta paddles and look like the team to beat heading into Championship Sunday. The all-Selkirk duo found their best form together ever, winning all of their matches in two games and securing their Championship opportunity for Sunday. One question mark going into today surrounded the health of Tyson McGuffin, who has been nursing a minor foot injury over the past few weeks. He answered those doubts easily, however, and looked to be competing at 100% throughout the day. Catherine Parenteau was incredible throughout the day as well, and this event really marked a progression in one of the most exciting partnerships on tour, as they steadily handled some very tough opposition.
Their first major test of the day came from the young and hard-hitting duo of Anna Bright & James Ignatowich, but Parenteau & McGuffin were able to utilize their experience and grit to out-wit their opponents at the kitchen line and out-volley them in the majority of hand battles. Parenteau & McGuffin then faced the sibling duo of Jorja & JW Johnson, who were red hot after upsetting the second seeded Parris Todd & Riley Newman. Parenteau & McGuffin came out of the gates firing and closed the show in emphatic fashion, winning game two 11-0 and earning their place in Sunday's final.
"My feet felt very heavy the last couple of days coming back from an injury, but today it seemed like the ball slowed down and the ball got a little bigger," said Tyson McGuffin. "Catherine helped me out, and we here we are, heading to Championship Sunday!"
The PPA Tour Florida Open continues tomorrow from the Pictona in Holly Hill, Florida. Gender doubles play will begin at 10:30am ET and can be viewed on the PPA Tour YouTube channel. Eyes will be on Catherine Parenteau who will have the opportunity to punch a third ticket to Championship Sunday as she enters the women's doubles bracket in partnership with Anna Leigh Waters.
