Federico Staksrud and Hayden Patriquin Beat The Champions: On Championship Sunday at PPA Virginia Beach Cup, the atmosphere buzzed with excitement as Federico Staksrud and Hayden Patriquin faced off against the formidable top seeds, Ben and Collin Johns, in the men’s doubles final.
The match was nothing short of a rollercoaster ride, concluding with an exhilarating scoreline of 11-9, 6-11, 3-11, 11-8, 11-2. But the outcome was far from pre-determined, especially when the No. 3 seeds found themselves trailing 3-9 in the pivotal fourth game.
The Turning Point
What happened next was remarkable. With the Johns leading 9-7, they called a timeout, a moment that would soon prove critical. In an unexpected turn of events, the brothers left the court without making a formal signal, resulting in a Delay of Game fault.
This marked the second time they had been penalized for this infraction, and as a consequence, they lost a point, bringing the score down to 8-7.
This seemingly minor event unleashed a 16-point run for Staksrud and Patriquin that changed the game’s trajectory entirely. They seized the momentum, capturing the fourth game 11-8 and sprinting to an 8-0 lead in the decider before closing out the match a few minutes later. This win marked their second title together, showing their growing dominance as a partnership.
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Tactical Brilliance
One of the match’s most crucial elements was Patriquin’s aggressive play from the right side of the court. Often pinching middle while Staksrud and Ben Johns exchanged dinks crosscourt, Patriquin increased the pressure on the Johns brothers. He credited his St. Louis Shock teammate, Gabe Tardio, for reshaping right-side play in pickleball.
“It’s all Gabe Tardio. He changed the right side in a good way, and I’m just trying to go after him.” – (Patriquin)
A New Rivalry Emerges
This thrilling encounter also marked the first meeting between these two powerhouse teams. Staksrud anticipates more tightly contested matches in the future.
“Any time you have Ben on the court, you know you’re gonna have high-level pickleball. I think this is the beginning of a new rivalry, and it’s gonna be fun.” – (Staksrud)
In the battle for bronze, the No. 2 seeds, JW Johnson and Dylan Frazier, outplayed No. 9 seeds Riley Newman and Rafa Hewett, securing the medal with a score of 11-3, 11-6.
News in Brief: Federico Staksrud and Hayden Patriquin Beat The Champions
Federico Staksrud and Hayden Patriquin captured the men’s doubles title at PPA Virginia Beach Cup, defeating top seeds Ben Johns and Collin Johns in a thrilling match that featured a stunning 16-point run.
The turning point came when the Johns were penalized for a Delay of Game fault while leading 9-7, allowing Staksrud and Patriquin to rally. Patriquin credited teammate Gabe Tardio for his innovative right-side play. In the bronze medal match, JW Johnson and Dylan Frazier won over Riley Newman and Rafa Hewett, solidifying their standings in the tournament.
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