PPA Austin Open:
The PPA Tour visited Austin, Texas for the PPA Austin Open. Players not only battled through intense draws, but also battled tough weather conditions. Through multiple rain delays, the draws spanned over multiple days, concluding on Monday rather than Sunday.
Men's Singles:
The Men’s Singles draw at the PPA Austin Open saw fiery match-ups as Ben Johns re-entered the tournament. Despite a slow start, Johns managed to navigate past tough opponents, including a challenging three-game match against Phuc Huynh in the round of 32. He then went on to defeat Wyatt Stone and JW Johnson. On the other side of the draw, Federico Staksrud showcased his dominance, defeating Christian Alshon in the semi-finals. In the end, Johns demonstrated his top-ranked status by clinching victory against Staksrud in the final in two games 11-5, 11-7.
Women's Singles:
Women in the singles draw were eager to compete after #1 seed, Anna Leigh Waters, withdrew from play. Newcomer Kaitlyn Christian capitalized on the absence of Waters, making her way to Championship Sunday. Christian’s toppled Brooke Buckner in the quarter-finals in a three-set thriller 9-11, 11-9, 11-9. She then went on to defeat Parris Todd, 11-3, 12-10. In the final, she faced Judit Castillo, an experienced singles player, and dropped in three games 11-8, 6-11, 7-11 to claim the PPA Austin Open title.
Mixed Doubles:
Mixed Doubles was another event at the PPA Austin Open with close battles and new partnerships drawing upset victories. With James Ignatowich out to injury, Anna Bright partnered up with Andrei Daescu to dominate the draw. Bright/Daescu toppled the partnerships of Dekel Bar/Tina Pisnik, Gabe Tardio/Meghan Dizon, and Thomas Wilson/Vivienne David to claim their spot in the finals. On the other half of the draw, Anna Leigh Waters and Ben Johns continued their dominance. Johns and Waters easily defeated Jessie Irvine and Christian Alshon in the semifinals 11-5, 11-6. Although Johns/Waters have claimed more mixed doubles titles than any other team, Bright/Daescu were an unstoppable force. Playing best out of 5, Bright/Daescu up-ended the #1 seed in three straight games 11-3, 11-9, 11-3.
Men's Doubles:
The Men’s Doubles draw opened up to new finalists as Christian Alshon and Zane Navratil took out Ben and Collin Johns in the quarterfinals. On the other half of the draw, Matt Wright and Andrei Daescu partnered up for the first time — unknowingly creating a dominant partnership. Most notably, Wright/Daescu took out the formidable duo of JW Johnson and Dylan Frazier. After dropping the first game 0-11, they battled back to defeat the pairing 11-4, 11-5. On Championship Sunday at the PPA Austin Open, Wright/Daescu secured Daescu’s second gold medal of the tournament. Daescu/Wright bested Alshon/Navratil in straight games 11-4, 11-9, 11-4.
Women's Doubles:
Women’s Doubles was perhaps the most exciting event of the tournament, with a new team claiming the title. Anna Leigh Waters and Catherine Parenteau showcased their dominance heading into the finals, only dropping a game on their way. Parenteau/Waters handily defeated the Kawamoto sisters 11-1, 11-2 in the semifinals. On the other half of the draw, Anna Bright and Rachel Rohrbacher breezed past big opponents. They up-ended Meghan Dizon and Etta Wright in the semifinals 11-7, 11-9. In the finals, the undefeated duo of Waters/Parenteau came out to a slow start, with Rohrbacher and Bright capturing the first game. Despite battling back, Bright/Rohrbacher didn’t let off the gas; they claimed the title in four games 11-4, 3-11, 11-6, 11-8. This win at the PPA Austin Open puts a halt to a winning streak of over sixty matches by Waters and Parenteau as a partnership.
Next Up:
Following the PPA Austin Open, the PPA Tour heads to the East Coast for the North Carolina Open. This tournament will be held in Cary, NC the week of April 1st.
Medal List:
Anna Bright: Gold – Mixed Doubles, Gold – Women’s Doubles
Ben Johns: Gold – Men’s Singles, Silver – Mixed Doubles
Federico Staksrud: Silver – Men’s Singles
