PPA Virginia Beach Cup Men’s Singles Recap: The atmosphere was thrilling at the Pickleball Virginia Beach facility as the PPA tour rolled into town for the Stratosphere Gin Virginia Beach Cup, the fifth 1500-point level event of the 2024 season. Following the hustle and bustle of the MLP Virginia Beach event, the PPA tournament attracted more than 800 players, with the Men’s Singles draw showcasing the usual chaos of qualifiers, upsets, and the promise of new talent.
A Field Packed with Talent
As always, the Men’s Singles draw was a battleground, featuring a hefty 78-player qualifying draw. This kind of turnout is a hallmark of Cup-level competitions, where every match counts and the stakes are high.
It didn’t take long for the tournament to showcase its fair share of surprises, with qualifiers emerging as key players in this intense showdown.
One of the standout stories was that of Max Green, the #42 seed and former Fordham star. Green had been steadily making his mark on the tour all year, but his performance in Virginia was nothing short of extraordinary.
He took down #24 Luke Watson in the 64s and then pulled off a stunning upset over #9 JW Johnson, winning decisively with scores of 4 and 9. Green continued to impress by outclassing the formidable Zane Navratil in the Round of 16, showcasing a comprehensive game with an 11-2, 11-7 victory.
Rising Stars Shine Bright
The spotlight wasn’t solely on Green. Virginia’s own Alvarez, another 40-something seed, made waves by defeating #17 Marshall Brown and #11 Collin Schick before falling to #7 Quang Duong in the Round of 16. Meanwhile, 16-year-old John Lucian Goins, the #47 seed, advanced after a walk-over in the 64s and crushed fellow teen sensation Grayson Goldin 2,4. Goins’ matchup against Ben Johns was a highlight, as he managed to stave off match point multiple times before succumbing 4,9, displaying the poise of a seasoned veteran.
Johns’ Path to the Final
For #2 seed Ben Johns, the draw couldn’t have been more favorable. His journey to the final was smooth, as he faced lower-seeded players, thanks to a couple of high-profile withdrawals in his bracket. After overcoming #40, #47, and #42 seeds, Johns swiftly dispatched #8 Jaume Martinez Vich in the semifinals, winning comfortably with scores of 11-1, 11-8 to secure his place in the final.
Staksrud’s Unexpected Exit
On the other side of the bracket, #1 seed Federico Staksrud seemed ready for another title run. He dominated #14 Tardio and #7 Duong, setting up a semifinal clash with #10 Hunter Johnson.
Johnson, having recently clinched his first PPA gold in Atlanta, was on a mission. In a thrilling semifinal, he stunned Staksrud with a 7-6 victory, marking just the fourth time in 20 PPA tournaments that Staksrud has failed to reach the gold medal match.
News in Brief: PPA Virginia Beach Cup Men’s Singles Recap
The Stratosphere Gin Virginia Beach Cup highlighted the depth of talent in Men’s Singles, with Max Green upsetting top seeds, including JW Johnson and Zane Navratil. Sixteen-year-old John Lucian Goins also impressed, pushing Ben Johns to his limits before falling.
Ben Johns, the #2 seed, advanced smoothly to the final, while #1 seed Federico Staksrud was unexpectedly defeated by Hunter Johnson in a thrilling semifinal. The tournament attracted over 800 players, showcasing a dynamic and competitive landscape in professional pickleball.
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