Zane Navratil Recaps Carvana Mesa Cup: Zane Navratil, a professional pickleball player, shared insights on the recent PPA tour Carvana Mesa Cup. He noted that the weekend was filled with thrilling storylines and significant developments, making it one of the most interesting weekends yet.
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New Rules and Partnerships
The event marked the debut of Ben Johns and Gabe Tardio as a partnership, which was highly anticipated. While there were not many storylines heading into the tournament, Navratil observed several key moments throughout the competition.
A new targeting rule was introduced on Tuesday, imposing heavy penalties for reckless attacks above the shoulders. Navratil expressed skepticism about the enforcement of this rule, suggesting it might serve more as a deterrent than a guideline.
On the same day, Federico Staksrud returned to using a Yola paddle after struggling with Adidas in Tucson. Ben and Gabe duo faced challenges, losing game two 11-3 to Greg Dow and Cason Campbell but bouncing back to win game three 11-5. The event also saw the emergence of “daddy’s sweat,” which Navratil noted was important for the program.
Championship Sunday Thrills
Saturday brought high drama, highlighted by a controversial match between Hunter Johnson and Federico Staksrud. This match featured multiple challenges and disagreements, with Staksrud claiming the referees were biased against him due to his nationality. Navratil encouraged viewers to watch the match and form their own opinions.
In mixed doubles, Anna Bright and Dekel Bar achieved a stunning victory over Anna Leigh Waters and Ben Johns, leaving Johns visibly frustrated. Navratil remarked that post-match interviews can sometimes resemble “hostage videos,” especially for the losing team.
Championship Sunday was filled with excitement as every match reached a decisive fifth game. Ben Johns defeated Hunter Johnson in men’s singles, while Catherine Parenteau and Anna Leigh Waters staged an impressive comeback against their opponents.
Ben and Gabe, starting slowly, won game five 11-7, securing back-to-back titles. Navratil suggested that Christian Alshon and Andrei Daescu should be ranked number one based on their performance.
News in Brief: Zane Navratil Recaps Carvana Mesa Cup
Zane Navratil recaps an exciting PPA tour in Carvana Mesa Cup, noting significant moments like the debut of Ben Johns and Gabe Tardio and a controversial match between Hunter Johnson and Federico Staksrud. Championship Sunday featured thrilling finishes and rising rivalries, promising an exciting season ahead for pickleball.
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