Ben Johns and Anna Leigh Waters are chasing their 44th mixed doubles title at the Atlanta Pickleball Championships. Photo: PPA Tour
The PPA Tour is back with the Veolia Atlanta Pickleball Championships starting Monday. This is a Slam event, with big points at stake in the run-up to the season-ending PPA Championships. With the extra points on offer, every match will be crucial - expect extra effort from all the players.
Five Much-Anticipated Duels to Watch Out For at PPA Tour Atlanta Pickleball Championships:
Parenteau-Rohrabacher vs Bright-Waters
This tournament will mark the first outing for newly formed pairings following the split between Anna Leigh Waters and Catherine Parenteau. All eyes will be on the women’s doubles draw.
Parenteau is now partnering with Rachel Rohrabacher. They are the top seeds. As the tournament progresses, anticipation will build for a potential matchup between Parenteau-Rohrabacher and the second-seeded duo of Anna Leigh Waters and Anna Bright. Expect some thrilling pickleball from them, given their pedigree and competitive credentials.
Kate Fahey vs Anna Leigh Waters
The women’s singles draw promises to be an exciting one. After MLP Columbus, players are now back on the Tour.
Following her 50th career women’s singles title on the PPA Tour at the Black Desert Resort Red Rock Open, Anna Leigh Waters will be determined to reclaim her dominance. She left the North Carolina Open without a title, falling short in both women’s doubles and mixed doubles finals.
Kate Fahey, who clinched the women’s singles title there, will be a key rival. As the top seed, Waters will be keen to bounce back in both singles and doubles, setting the stage for an electric face-off with Fahey, who is currently in red-hot form.
Besides Fahey, Kaitlyn Christian and Parris Todd have also been in top form. Adding further depth to the draw are Lea Jansen, Parenteau, Salome Devidze, and Jorja Johnson. Meanwhile, 17-year-old Jalina Ingram, a new entrant to the PPA Tour, is one to keep an eye on.
Ben Johns-Anna Leigh Waters vs JW Johnson-Jorja Johnson
As the PPA Tour continues to evolve, with new players and partnerships making waves, one thing remains constant - top seeding for Anna Leigh Waters and Ben Johns in mixed doubles.
After a title less campaign at the North Carolina Open, they will be hungry for a win - especially following the controversy surrounding Johns, who withdrew from MLP Columbus citing lighting issues. Their biggest challenge will likely come from the second-seeded siblings, JW Johnson and Jorja Johnson.
Other intriguing pairs include Christian Alshon and Etta Tuione Toa. Anna Bright, now Waters’ partner in women’s doubles, will team up with Quang Duong in mixed doubles. They too will look to make a mark on the PPA Tour.
Federico Staksrud-Hayden Patriquin vs Gabe Tardio-Ben Johns
In men’s doubles, Staksrud and Patriquin are the top seeds, with Tardio and Johns billed second.
Both pairs face tricky paths ahead. Staksrud and Patriquin may meet cunning Eric Oncins and Rafa Hewett in the Round of 16.
Tardio and Johns, on the other hand, are projected to face Andrei Daescu and Alshon in the semifinals.
With strong credentials on both sides, they are expected to have a deep run in the tournament, setting up a potential high-voltage clash between the top two seeds.
Staksrud vs Hunter Johnson vs Ben Johns
Just like the women’s side, the men’s singles draw is deep and fiercely competitive. Staksrud enters as the top seed, with Johnson seeded second.
Other strong contenders include Zane Ford, Roscoe Bellamy, and JW Johnson. While Staksrud is the favourite, Johnson's success will depend on his fitness. He is returning after a finger injury that kept him out of MLP Columbus. On the bright side, he could be fresh and energised for the challenge. Ben Johns, the fourth seed, could also play spoiler if he regains his singles form.
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