PPA Hertz Gold Cup
In the sun-soaked courts of Holly Hill, Florida, the PPA Hertz Gold Cup delivered intense matches across various categories. Among the highlights, the Men’s Doubles event took center stage, with big upsets opening up the draw to newer partnerships.
Men's Singles
First, the PPA Hertz Gold Cup started off with Men’s Singles. The Men’s Singles category provided its fair share of drama, with the semifinals featuring a clash between Ben Johns and Connor Garnett. Johns, the one seed, overcame Garnett in a closely contested match, securing his place in the final with a 9-11, 11-7, 11-2 victory. The other semifinal saw Tyson McGuffin facing off against Gabriel Tardio, with McGuffin dominating the match with an 11-4, 11-2 win.
The Men’s Singles final brought together two pickleball titans, Ben Johns and Tyson McGuffin. In a thrilling contest that had fans on the edge of their seats, Johns showcased his prowess and determination, securing the title with an 11-7, 6-11, 11-3 victory.
Women's Singles
Next, was Women’s Singles at the PPA Hertz Gold Cup. The Women’s Singles category had its share of intense battles. The semifinals featured Lacy Schneemann against Taylor Garcia and Salome Devidze against Lauren Stratman. Schneemann overcame Garcia with an 11-0, 11-9 victory, while Devidze secured her spot in the final with an 11-8, 11-8 win over Stratton.
The Women’s Singles final saw a clash between two formidable players, Salome Devidze and Lacy Schneemann. In a match filled with tension and skill, Devidze emerged as the champion with an 11-8, 12-10 victory.
Men's Doubles
Perhaps the most exciting event at the PPA Hertz Gold Cup was Men’s Doubles. The Round of 16 led Ben and Collin Johns to an epic battle against Jaume Martinez Vich and Wyatt Stone (16). In a three-set thriller, the underdogs emerged victorious against the formidable duo of Ben Johns & Collin Johns (1) with a scoreline of 5-11, 11-8, 12-10.
Advancing to the semifinals, Christian Alshon & Connor Garnett faced off against Tyler Loong & Darrian Young, securing their spot in the final with an impressive 11-5, 11-3 victory. Meanwhile, Frazier & Johnson continued their dominant run, overcoming Matt Wright & Travis Rettenmaier 11-2, 11-8.
In the Men’s Doubles final, Frazier & Johnson battled against Alshon & Garnett. In a close contest, Frazier & Johnson emerged victorious, claiming the title with an 11-8, 11-9, 11-4 scoreline.
Women's Doubles
Women’s Doubles was heating up at the PPA Hertz Gold Cup. In the Quarterfinals, Andrea Koop and Vivienne David met Simone Jardim and Anna Bright. Koop & David exhibited a dominant performance, clinching victory with a commanding 11-3, 14-12 scoreline. Another quarterfinal clash saw Lacy Schneemann & Jade Kawamoto facing off against Irina Tereschenko & Jessie Irvine. Schneemann & Kawamoto showcased their chemistry and coordination on the court, securing a convincing win with an 11-3, 11-3 triumph.
In the semifinals, Callie Smith & Lucy Kovalova faced off against Schneemann & Kawamoto. The match resulted in a 13-11, 11-7 victory for Smith & Kovalova. On the other side of the bracket, Catherine Parenteau & Anna Leigh Waters clashed with Koop & David. Parenteau & Waters displayed a masterclass of doubles play, securing their spot in the final with an 11-3, 11-5 win.
Parenteau & Waters, exhibiting a combination of finesse and power, emerged victorious with an 11-7, 11-7, 11-4 scoreline. The duo’s seamless communication, net dominance, and consistent play secured them the PPA Hertz Gold Cup Women’s Doubles title.
The battle for bronze saw Lacy Schneemann & Jade Kawamoto facing off against Andrea Koop & Vivienne David. Schneemann & Kawamoto, determined to secure a spot on the podium, delivered a stellar performance, clinching the bronze with an 11-8, 11-2 victory.
Mixed Doubles
Next up at the PPA Hertz Gold Cup was Mixed Doubles. Mixed Doubles added another layer of excitement to the tournament. In the quarterfinals, Thomas Wilson & Vivienne David (5) faced off against Tyson McGuffin & Catherine Parenteau (4) in a gripping match that went the distance. Wilson & David emerged victorious with a hard-fought 3-11, 11-9, 11-7 victory.
The Mixed Doubles final featured an intense showdown between the seasoned duo of Ben Johns & Anna Leigh Waters and the sibling pairing of JW Johnson & Jorja Johnson. In a closely contested match that showcased incredible teamwork, Johns & Waters emerged as the champions, claiming the title with a 5-11, 13-11, 11-5, 11-5 victory.
Equipment List:
Ben Johns: BJ Perseus CFS 16
Collin Johns: CJ Scorpeus CFS 16
Lacy Schneemann: CJ Scorpeus CFS 16
Simone Jardim: SJ Hyperion CFS 16 Swift
Anna Bright: AB Scorpeus CFS 14
Medal List:
Ben Johns: Gold – Men’s Singles, Gold – Mixed Doubles
Lacy Schneemann: Silver – Women’s Singles, Bronze – Women’s Doubles
