Anna Leigh Waters and Ben Johns Cruise to Victory: Anna Leigh Waters and Ben Johns claimed a strong victory in the first mixed doubles semifinal at the Proton Tucson Open. The pair defeated Kate Fahey and Dylan Frazier with scores of 11-3, and 11-7, continuing their impressive start to 2025.
Key to Success: Waters’ Speedup Shot
A standout moment in the match was Waters’ two-handed backhand speedup off the bounce. While most players use this shot from the left side of the court, the 18-year-old Waters found success using it from the right side. Her shot-making ability was key to the win.
Waters gave insight into her strategy for the shot. “I’m basically just thinking about whether to go line, middle, or body. I’ll decide on one in my head, and that’s where I’ll hit it,” she explained. “Most of the time I’ll go line because the guy is in the middle, but once I’ve done that a few times, I will try and mix it up.”
Johns Talks About New Partnership
Although Johns has played countless hours with Waters, he’s less familiar with his men’s doubles partner this week, Hayden Patriquin. He spoke about the challenges of playing with a new partner.
“With familiar partners, you’re more in a zone where your body already knows what to do. You know their patterns, and you don’t have to think about it too much,” Johns shared. “With new partners, there’s definitely a little more communication going on, just talking through patterns and what balls each of you is gonna take.”
Looking Ahead
Waters and Johns’ strong performance sets the stage for the rest of the tournament. With a mix of powerful shots and effective teamwork, they are a duo to watch. Their focus on communication and strategy will likely keep them in contention as the event continues.
News in Brief: Anna Leigh Waters and Ben Johns Cruise to Victory
Anna Leigh Waters and Ben Johns won the mixed doubles semifinal at the Proton Tucson Open, defeating Kate Fahey and Dylan Frazier. Waters’ right-side two-handed backhand speedup was key. Despite a new men’s doubles partner, Johns spoke about the challenges of adapting to new playing dynamics.
