Anna Leigh Waters, the world’s top-ranked women’s pickleball player, showcased her exceptional skill at the PPA Tour Newport Beach Open on March 6, securing spots in three semifinal rounds. Demonstrating why she remains a dominant force on the professional circuit, Waters’ commanding performance underscored her continued pursuit of excellence in the sport.
In the women’s singles quarterfinal, Waters defeated Mary Brasica with a decisive 11-4, 11-4 victory, controlling the match from the beginning and advancing comfortably. She is set to face Kaitlyn Christian in the semifinal on March 7, carrying the psychological edge of maintaining an undefeated record against Christian following her recent win at the PPA Masters.
Christian Emerges Through Tough Quarterfinal Battle
Kaitlyn Christian earned her semifinal position by overcoming Judit Castillo in a competitive quarterfinal match. After a close first game, Christian pulled ahead to take the match 13-11, 11-4. Christian’s resilience sets up a challenging test against Waters, whose commanding form makes her the favorite in this upcoming clash.
Meanwhile, the tournament witnessed a significant upset when Lea Jansen toppled Kate Fahey, the PPA Masters runner-up. Jansen recovered from losing the first game 6-11 to win the following sets 11-8 and 14-12, booking her place in the semifinals. She will compete against Brooke Buckner, who advanced after a tight three-game victory over Victoria DiMuzio, securing the final 11-3, 7-11, 11-8 scoreline.
Waters and Bright Form a Strong Women’s Doubles Team
Waters’ dominance extended beyond singles as she paired with Anna Bright to display striking teamwork in the women’s doubles quarterfinal. The duo easily defeated Humberg and Cailyn Campbell 11-1, 11-6, demonstrating their formidable pairing and advancing to the semifinals. They will face Tina Pisnik and Lacy Schneemann, who reached the last four with an 11-3, 11-5 quarterfinal win over Chao Yi Wang and Milan Rane.
The other women’s doubles semifinal will feature Jorja Johnson and Tyra Black going up against Parris Todd and Rachel Rohrabacher, promising an intense contest on the opposite side of the draw.
Progress in Mixed Doubles Semifinals
In mixed doubles, Waters teamed up with Ben Johns to continue their impressive run, outplaying Gabe Tardio and Rohrabacher to secure a semifinal berth. They will now challenge the team of Parris Todd and Andrei Daescu. The second mixed doubles semifinal matches siblings Jorja Johnson and JW Johnson against the pairing of Tina Pisnik and Eric Oncins.
Waters Continues to Chase Historic Triple Crown Achievements
By reaching semifinals in singles, women’s doubles, and mixed doubles, Anna Leigh Waters has positioned herself for another remarkable outcome at the Newport Beach Open. Currently pursuing her 41st triple crown after claiming the first of the year at the PPA Masters, Waters’ remarkable consistency and skill solidify her status as a leading figure in the sport.
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