The Carvana Mesa Cup presented by Proton kicks off on February 17 in Phoenix, with top players ready to compete under ideal weather conditions. The tournament features deep draws, with elite-level matchups beginning as early as the round of 64. Predicting winners will be a challenge as competition heats up.
Ben Johns and Anna Leigh Waters enter as the top-seeded mixed doubles team but will face a potentially tough test in the round of 32 against #31 Zoey Wang and CJ Klinger. While an upset is unlikely, a three-game battle would not be surprising. Last week’s runners-up, Tyra Black and Christian Alshon, come in as the #5 seed. Their strong play puts them in the top half of the draw, meaning they could face Johns and Waters in the quarterfinals rather than the finals.
Deep Competition Throughout the Draw
Black has been the second-best woman in competition behind Waters, and Alshon continues to challenge Johns as one of the best on the men’s side. If the two teams meet again, fans can expect another high-energy showdown.
The bottom half of the draw remains wide open, with Jorja Johnson and JW Johnson as the #2 seed. They will likely face tough competition from several teams, including #4 Catherine Parenteau and Federico Staksrud, #6 Jessie Irvine and Gabe Tardio, #7 Tina Pisnik and Andrei Daescu, and #11 Lea Jansen and Riley Newman. Each of these pairings has the potential to make a deep run in the tournament.
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High Stakes for Every Match
The strength of the field means no easy paths to the finals. With medal-level talent competing early on, every match could have significant implications for the tournament’s outcome. Fans can expect exciting matches, close battles, and potential upsets as the event progresses.
News in Brief: Ben Johns and Anna Leigh Waters Lead Stacked Mixed Doubles Draw
The Carvana Mesa Cup starts February 17 in Phoenix with top players competing in deep draws. Ben Johns and Anna Leigh Waters are the top seed but face an early test. Tyra Black and Christian Alshon could meet them in the quarterfinals. The bottom half of the draw remains unpredictable with multiple contenders.
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