Ben Johns’ Ankle Injury Almost Derails Mixed Doubles Victory: Anna Leigh Waters and Ben Johns have secured their spot in the mixed doubles final at Life Time Peachtree Corners with a hard-fought 11-2, 5-11, and 11-4 victory over the No. 3 seeds, Jorja and JW Johnson. The match showed the resilience of the top seeds and the tactical skills of their opponents, resulting in an intense decider.
Dominance and Resilience
Waters and Johns appeared to be on a fast track to victory as they steamrolled through Game 1, clinching it in just over twelve minutes. Their commanding performance suggested an easy route to the final. However, the Johnson siblings had other plans. They rallied impressively in Game 2, utilizing extended dink rallies to disrupt the rhythm of the top seeds and level the match.
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Johns’ Injury: A Lingering Concern
A significant subplot heading into the match was Ben Johns’ mobility, given his recent ankle injury. Despite the issue, Johns showed remarkable resilience.
“It’s felt better and better every day, and that’s mostly due to the doctor on the sidelines working on it for a few hours each day and just kind of locking it in my shoe.” – (Johns)
Although his movement isn’t yet perfect, the injury did not seem to hinder his performance as much as anticipated.
Looking Ahead: Men’s Doubles Semifinal
As Waters and Johns celebrate their advancement to the mixed doubles final, they must now turn their attention to the men’s doubles semifinal later Saturday afternoon. Johns will team up with his brother, Collin, to face Riley Newman and Christian Alshon—a matchup that will test Johns’ recovery and their doubles synergy. The outcome of this match could significantly impact their chances of claiming additional titles in Atlanta.
News in Brief: Ben Johns’ Ankle Injury Almost Derails Mixed Doubles Victory
With the final on the horizon, the top seeds are assured to deliver another intense performance. As they continue their pursuit of gold, all eyes will be on their ability to overcome challenges and seize victory on the grand stage.
