Zane Navratil’s Tucson Recap: The latest pro pickleball event in Tucson delivered major upsets, thrilling matches, and even a few heated moments, as detailed by Zane Navratil in his Instagram recap. With new partnerships, unexpected results, and standout performances, the tournament provided plenty of excitement for fans.
Shocking Upsets and Singles Drama
Singles day kicked off with a major upset, as Tom Evans took down Federico Staksrud, a result that was far from ideal for Staksrud as he debuted the new Adidas paddle. With Ben Johns and Anna Leigh Waters opting out of singles, the field was wide open. Christian Alshon, returning to form after injuries in 2024, made it to the finals, facing Hunter Johnson, who advanced after Quang Duong withdrew in the quarterfinals. On the women’s side, Kaitlyn Christian reached her fourth straight final, while Paris Todd fought past Lea Jansen and Brooke Buckner to earn her spot in the championship match.
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A Surprise Promposal and Doubles Battles
Friday’s most unexpected highlight had nothing to do with pickleball: Anna Leigh Waters received a promposal . “It just hasn’t worked out because… I’m not gonna be here when the prom is,” Waters said, handling the situation well. Navratil humorously rated the effort a six out of ten, noting that while the attempt was bold, it wasn’t fully committed.
Meanwhile, new doubles partnerships faced early struggles. Anna Bright and Dekel Bar, along with Federico Staksrud and Catherine Parenteau, both had rough starts. Despite that, Ben Johns and Anna Leigh Waters survived a tough match against Andrei Daescu and Tina Pisnik, winning 11-9, 9-11, 11-8 to secure their spot in the finals.
Heated Moments and Major Storylines
Saturday’s matches brought intensity, with Navratil himself getting caught up in the action. “I pissed off Jack Sock, and he nailed me with a much-deserved Nasty Nelson,” he shared. Jay Devilliers also attempted a Nelson against Rafa Hewett, while Hayden Patriquin hit Andre Daescu with a powerful bag. In one of the biggest moments of the weekend, Ben Johns and Hayden Patriquin fell to Christian Alshon and Andrei Daescu in the semifinals. On the women’s side, Waters and Parenteau advanced to the final as expected.
MLP Trades and Sunday’s Finals
Outside of tournament play, Major League Pickleball trade news shook things up. Dylan Frazier and Lacey Schneeman were traded to the Orlando Squeeze in exchange for Tyson McGuffin and Megan Dizon, who joined the Arizona Drive. Navratil believed both teams would benefit from the move.
In Sunday’s finals, Alshon had a shot at the Triple Crown but fell short in mixed doubles against Ben Johns and Anna Leigh Waters. However, he and Andrei Daescu secured the men’s doubles title with a straight-game win over JW Johnson and Gabriel Tardio. Meanwhile, Hunter Johnson continued his dominance in singles, cruising to victory. Paris Todd also made a statement by defeating Caitlin Christian 6-2, 6-3 in what Navratil described as a “beatdown.”
A Super Bowl Cameo and Final Takeaways
Todd celebrated her win by watching herself in Michelob Ultra’s Super Bowl commercial, though Navratil felt the ad made pickleball seem “boomer-y.” The weekend wrapped up with Waters and Parenteau dominating the women’s doubles final, showcasing their strong chemistry on ESPN2. Navratil ended his recap by praising their skills while giving a nod to their strong merchandise game.
News in Brief: Zane Navratil’s Tucson Recap
The pro pickleball event in Tucson saw major upsets, intense doubles battles, and a promposal for Anna Leigh Waters. Christian Alshon and Hunter Johnson shined in singles, while Ben Johns, Anna Leigh Waters, and Paris Todd delivered standout performances. MLP trades also shook up the league, adding more intrigue to the season ahead.
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