PPA Rate Las Vegas Championships Mixed Pro Doubles: As the dust settled on the 2024 PPA Rate Las Vegas Championships, the Mixed Pro Doubles competition showed the incredible depth and unpredictability of the field. While the final matchups featured the top seeds, the journey to get there was anything but straightforward, highlighting the rising talent within the draw.
Quarterfinal Surprises: Upsets and Unlikely Partnerships
In the opening quarter, dominant duo Ben Johns and Anna Leigh Waters, the #1 seeds, faced off against the unexpected #23 pair of Quang Duong and Allyce Jones. This unique partnership marked a first-time collaboration for Quang Duong and Allyce Jones, and they made an immediate impact by defeating the #7 seeds Federico Staksrud and Rachel Rohrabacher to reach the quarterfinals.
While they put up a tough fight against Ben Johns and Anna Leigh Waters, falling 6-7 in the quarters, it was still Quang Duong’s best result in mixed pro play to date.
In the round of 16, #13 seeds Meghan Dizon and Andrei Daescu continued to show their growing synergy, securing a notable win over #3 Anna Bright and Hayden Patriquin to earn their place in the quarterfinals. However, they faced a formidable challenge from the #5 duo of Christian Alshon and Etta Wright, who ultimately won, ending Meghan Dizon and Andrei Daescu’s run.
The round of 16 featured #11 seeds, Jack Sock and Lea Jansen, testing their MLP partnership with immediate success. They upset #8 seeds Gabriel Tardio and Jessie Irvine in the 16s, setting the stage for a clash with the formidable #2 team of Jorja Johnson and JW Johnson.
Meanwhile, the final quarter saw #19 seeds Julian Arnold and Maggie Brascia pull off a notable victory in the 32s against the #10 pair of Dekel Bar and Vivian Glozman, followed by a win over Roscoe Bellamy and Andrea Koop to reach the final eight.
Semifinals: The Top Seeds Prevail
As the tournament progressed, the expected powerhouses delivered, with Anna Leigh Waters and Ben Johns, and Jorja Johnson and JW Johnson advancing to the semi-finals to set up a highly anticipated rematch in the finals. This matchup marked the sixth time these two pairs faced off for a gold medal since August of the previous year.
Anna Leigh Waters and Ben Johns Rise in Finals
The championship match featured Anna Leigh Waters and Ben Johns against the Johnson siblings, who aimed to dethrone the reigning champions. The final started competitively, with Anna Leigh Waters and Ben Johns steadily improving throughout the match.
Despite dropping the first game, they regained their momentum, ultimately clinching the title with a near-perfect performance to secure their 41st pro mixed title together.
Medalists
- Gold: Anna Leigh Waters and Ben Johns
- Silver: Jorja Johnson and JW Johnson
- Bronze: Christian Alshon and Etta Wright
News in Brief: PPA Rate Las Vegas Championships Mixed Pro Doubles
At the 2024 PPA Rate Las Vegas Championships Mixed Pro Doubles, Anna Leigh Waters and Ben Johns won the Mixed Pro Doubles, claiming their 41st title together. The tournament saw numerous surprises, including standout performances from lower-seeded teams like Quang Duong and Allyce Jones, and Meghan Dizon and Andrei Daescu.
Ultimately, Anna Leigh Waters and Ben Johns prevailed in a closely contested final against Jorja Johnson and JW Johnson, reinforcing their dominance in the mixed doubles arena.
ALSO READ: Anna Leigh Waters and Ben Johns Reign Supreme at PPA Rate Las Vegas Championships
