APP Women’s Open Singles Review: This past weekend, the Association of Pickleball Players (APP) made waves in pickleball by hosting its first Women’s Open, presented by the James Cancer center. Set against the backdrop of the Pickle & Chill facility in Columbus, Ohio, the event brought together 250 women—amateurs and professionals—for a weekend that celebrated the rising stars of women’s pickleball.
Injury Hits Hard in Women’s Pro Singles
The singles competition kicked off with a roster full of familiar APP names. Among the top contenders were household names like Megan Fudge, Jardim, Susannah Barr, and Amanda Hendry. However, the excitement was quickly adjusted as injuries struck. Both #1 seed Fudge and #3 seed Jardim were sidelined in the round of 16, leaving the tournament wide open for unexpected outcomes.
As the rounds progressed, more surprises emerged. Tour regulars Susannah Barr and Amanda Hendry saw their paths cut short in the quarterfinals, falling to #12 Domenika Turkovic and #10 Shannon Pretorius, respectively. The tournament was shaping up to be a show for newcomers, and the tension in the air was noticeable.
A New Champion Emerges
With the stage set for an exciting finale, Turkovic, a Croatian-born tennis standout from Arizona State, and Pretorius, a graduate of Arkansas State currently working in video production in the Cleveland area, both advanced to the final after defeating #16 Erika Oku and #19 Alla Mikhno, respectively. This ensured a fresh face would take home the gold.
The championship match was nothing short of thrilling, as Pretorius survived a hard three-game showdown to secures the title with scores of 6, (14), and 10. Mikhno, who battled throughout the event, secured the bronze medal, rounding out an all-first-time medal-winning trio.
Final Standings:
- Gold: Shannon Pretorius
- Silver: Domenika Turkovic
- Bronze: Alla Mikhno
News in Brief: APP Women’s Open Singles Review
The APP hosted its first Women’s Open at the Pickle & Chill facility in Columbus, Ohio, attracting 250 women athletes. Top contenders like Megan Fudge and Simone Jardim fell victim to injuries early in the tournament, covering the way for new talent.
In a thrilling final, Shannon Pretorius emerged victorious, defeating Domenika Turkovic, while Alla Mikhno secured the bronze. This event showed the increasing importance of women in pickleball, marking a important moment in the sport’s evolution.
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