Ben Johns Outplayed By John Lucian Goins: Sixteen-year-old John Lucian Goins shocked the pickleball community with a stunning victory over top-seeded Ben Johns at the Veolia Cape Coral Open on March 6, 2025. Goins won in three games, 8-11, 11-1, 11-7, securing his biggest win yet in the professional pickleball scene.
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A Surprising Turn of Events in Cape Coral
The VEOLIA PPA Cape Coral Open is currently underway at the Lake Kennedy Racquet Center in Cape Coral, Florida, running from March 6 to March 9. The tournament has brought together top players from across the country, but it was 16-year-old Goins who made the biggest impression on Thursday.
Goins, from Florida, faced off against the highly ranked Ben Johns in a highly anticipated match. After dropping the first game 8-11, Goins showed resilience and precision in the second game, winning 11-1.
In the third and final game, Goins raced to a 9-3 lead, though Johns fought back to make it close. However, Goins remained focused and clinched the win when Johns sent a forehand volley out of bounds.
Goins Draws Confidence from Past Experience
Although Goins was the underdog in this match, he had previously played against Johns in Virginia Beach in October 2024. In that contest, Johns won 11-4, 11-9, but Goins found confidence in how close he came to forcing a third game.
“I’ve played Ben before, so I knew I could do it. I was there with him the last time in the second set, so I knew I just had to put my head down and get to work.” – (Goins)
Looking Ahead to the Next Round
Goins now advances to face No. 6 seed Jaume Martinez Vich in the next round of the VEOLIA PPA Cape Coral Open. His victory over Johns has earned him a spot among the top contenders for the tournament’s final and has solidified his place as one of the rising stars of pickleball.
The Significance of Goins’ Victory
This win is a major milestone in Goins’ young career, especially as he defeated one of the sport’s top players. It shows Goins’ potential and suggests that he could be a future leader in professional pickleball. If Goins can keep up this level of play, he may be on his way to even bigger victories.
News in Brief: Ben Johns Outplayed By John Lucian Goins
John Lucian Goins, a 16-year-old pickleball player, shocked Ben Johns at the Veolia Cape Coral Open with an 8-11, 11-1, 11-7 victory. Goins now advances to face Jaume Martinez Vich in the next round, marking a breakthrough in his young career.
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