Johns and Waters Dominate Mixed Doubles at San Clemente PPA Finals
The pickleball world converged on San Clemente for a high-stakes Mixed Doubles tournament that featured a unique pool-play format and a surprising title sponsor: Toys R Us. While the tournament saw its share of drama, controversies, and hard-fought battles, the familiar duo of Anna Leigh Waters and Ben Johns ultimately reaffirmed their status at the top of the podium.
The Semifinal Scare
The path to the gold wasn’t without its hurdles. In a thrilling semifinal match, Waters and Johns faced off against Hayden Patriquin and Anna Bright. The match began as a blowout, with Waters and Johns “pickling” their opponents 11-0 in the first game [01:43]. However, the momentum shifted dramatically in game two. Patriquin and Bright surged back, capitalizing on uncharacteristic dinking errors from Johns [02:30] to take the second game 11-7 and force a deciding third set.
The final game was a “razor-thin” contest. Patriquin and Bright held an 8-4 lead, looking poised for a massive upset [04:04]. Yet, the championship pedigree of Waters and Johns shone through. They mounted a comeback to tie it at 8-8 and eventually secured the victory [04:32], with Waters showing visible relief and joy at surviving the scare [05:33].
Finalists Determined by Grit
On the other side of the bracket, Christian Alshon and Rachel Rohrabacher faced JW and Georgia Johnson. This semifinal was marked by intense firefights and controversial officiating. A foot fault call against Georgia Johnson was overturned upon challenge [06:31], and another point saw Alshon survive a “net-touch” challenge that left commentators and opponents baffled [07:18]. Despite the tension, Alshon and Rohrabacher displayed incredible resilience, fighting off match points to win 12-10 and advance to the finals [09:53].
A Clinical Championship Performance
The final showdown between Waters/Johns and Alshon/Rohrabacher proved to be less dramatic than the preceding rounds. Waters and Johns were “locked in” from the start [11:38]. They utilized aggressive poaching and perfectly executed Around-the-Post (ATP) shots [10:46] to dismantle their opponents.
Waters and Johns won the championship in straight games, punctuated by a clinical ATP from Johns on match point to seal the 11-5 victory [11:46]. While Alshon jokingly embraced the “achievement of failure” in his post-match comments [12:21], the tournament served as another reminder of the gap between the world’s #1 pair and the rest of the field.
Off-Court Highlights
Beyond the gameplay, the event was notable for its festive atmosphere, including an appearance by Geoffrey the Giraffe on the pickleball court [01:04]. The tournament also highlighted the growing importance of gear, with players and commentators discussing the latest in foam-core paddle technology from brands like Carbon and specialized footwear available at Pickleball Central [12:44].
As the PPA season continues, the question remains: who can consistently challenge the dominance of Ben Johns and Anna Leigh Waters? For now, the crown remains firmly in their possession.
