Men’s Doubles Final at PPA Virginia Beach Cup: In the heart of Virginia Beach, the men’s doubles final at the Stratusphere Gin Virginia Beach Cup delivered a thrilling spectacle. Federico Staksrud and Hayden Patriquin emerged victorious in a gripping five-game showdown against the formidable Ben Johns and Collin Johns, with scores of 11-9, 6-11, 3-11, 11-8, and 11-2. But how did they clinch this hard-fought victory? A detailed look at the statistics reveals the keys to their success.
The Speedup Stat: A Game-Changer
The key to success in men’s doubles often boils down to one crucial statistic: the speedup success rate. This statistic measures how frequently a player or team can accelerate the pace of the ball at the kitchen line, often leading to crucial points.
In this final, speedup attempts were tracked alongside unforced errors to give a comprehensive view of each player’s performance.
Game-by-Game Breakdown
- Game One:
- Staksrud: 2-3 (attempted 3, won 2 rallies), 2 errors
- Patriquin: 1-2, 4 errors
- Ben Johns: 5-8, 3 errors
- Collin Johns: 3-3, 2 errors
- Game Two:
- Staksrud: 1-4, 1 error
- Patriquin: 2-5, 4 errors
- Ben Johns: 5-6, 4 errors
- Collin Johns: 1-1, 2 errors
- Game Three:
- Staksrud: 2-3, 3 errors
- Patriquin: 0-1, 3 errors
- Ben Johns: 6-7, 1 error
- Collin Johns: 0-0, 0 errors
- Game Four:
- Staksrud: 5-6, 2 errors
- Patriquin: 2-2, 5 errors
- Ben Johns: 3-5, 4 errors
- Collin Johns: 0-0, 1 error
- Game Five:
- Staksrud: 8-10, 0 errors
- Patriquin: 3-3, 1 error
- Ben Johns: 0-1, 4 errors
- Collin Johns: 3-6, 0 errors
Totals:
- Staksrud: 19-26 (.731), 8 errors
- Patriquin: 8-13 (.615), 17 errors
- Ben Johns: 16-24 (.667), 16 errors
- Collin Johns: 7-10 (.700), 5 errors
The final tallies show Staksrud and Patriquin at 27-39 (.692) with 25 errors, while the Johns brothers finished at 23-34 (.676) with 21 errors.
Aggressiveness Determines Fate
In pickleball, aggressiveness can make all the difference. Staksrud and Patriquin demonstrated remarkable determination in game five, executing their strategy to perfection. They attacked relentlessly, capturing points and gaining momentum.
Conversely, the Johns brothers faltered when it mattered most. Their aggressive play in the early games initially gave them an advantage, but as they shifted to a more passive style, the momentum swung dramatically in favor of their opponents.
The pivotal moment came when the score was 9-3-2 in game four. The Johns were in control, having taken a 2-1 lead in games. However, they allowed their serve to slip, and a series of mistakes followed, including a missed time-out signal that changed the match’s trajectory.
From that point, Staksrud and Patriquin unleashed a torrent of speedups, outscoring their opponents 19-1. Their ratio of speedups to points scored was a staggering 19/20 (95%), an impressive turnaround from their previous 20/63 (32%).
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The Johns’ Change in Tactics
Following their blunder at 9-3-2, the Johns became passive, significantly reducing their aggressiveness. Ben Johns, who had been a dominant force early in the match, ceased to attack the ball with the same fervor.
This shift allowed Staksrud and Patriquin to regain control, showing the importance of staying aggressive in intense moments. As the match progressed, it became evident that the Johns brothers were struggling to adapt to their opponents’ newfound momentum. Their passive play opened the door for Staksrud and Patriquin to seize control, and they took full advantage of it.
Player Performance Insights
All four players exhibited strong skills in executing speedups, with a success rate above 50% being commendable. Staksrud’s achievement of 73% at a high volume of attempts proved vital to his team’s success. His aggressive style and ability to dictate play became the single biggest reason for their victory.
On the other hand, while Ben Johns accepted a high number of balls—leading to a natural increase in errors—Patriquin’s performance highlighted an area for improvement. His unforced errors predominantly stemmed from routine plays, indicating a need for greater focus on fundamental shots.
The Dinkfest Dilemma
Game three showed the strategy that the Johns typically prefer: a slow-paced, error-driven game filled with dinks. However, this style plays right into their hands and is a game that Staksrud and Patriquin should avoid.
A constant drive to speed up the ball is essential for countering the Johns’ strategy. By participating in a “dinkfest,” Staksrud and Patriquin allowed the Johns to dictate the pace and rhythm of the match, ultimately playing into their opponents’ strengths.
As the match progressed, it became clear that the ability to adapt to the situation was crucial. Staksrud and Patriquin eventually recognized the need to abandon the dinking approach and embraced a more aggressive style, which ultimately led them to victory.
Lessons Learned
Should these teams meet again, expect Staksrud and Patriquin to bring even more intensity to their game. The Johns brothers, on the other hand, will need to reflect on their tactics and ensure they maintain a consistent level of aggression throughout future matches.
The Stratusphere Gin Virginia Beach Cup showed not only the excitement of competitive pickleball but also the tactical depth that defines the sport. For fans and players, the lessons learned from this final will undoubtedly influence how teams approach their next matchups.
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News in Brief: Men’s Doubles Final at PPA Virginia Beach Cup
The men’s doubles final at the Stratusphere Gin Virginia Beach Cup saw Federico Staksrud and Hayden Patriquin defeat Ben and Collin Johns in an exhilarating five-game match. The turning point came at 9-3-2 in Game Four, where Staksrud and Patriquin outscored their opponents 19-1.
Their success was fueled by aggressive play and a high success rate in speedups, particularly in the final game. Despite some unforced errors, their strategy proved effective, marking a significant victory in the competitive pickleball scene.
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