Zane Ford Knocks Out Ben Johns: Zane Ford pulled off a major upset at the CIBC Texas Open, defeating No. 2 seed Ben Johns in a hard-fought 11-8, 7-11, 11-3 victory at Courts of McKinney in McKinney, Texas. The No. 17 seed advanced to the quarterfinals after a strong finish in the deciding game.
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Fast Start, Fierce Comeback
Ford looked poised to win in straight games after taking an early 4-1 lead in Game 2, but Johns responded with a determined comeback to force a third game. Despite playing a deciding game for the third match in a row, Ford stayed composed and took control with aggressive shot-making.
Ford’s Smart Strategy Pays Off
Johns typically dominates in long, strategic rallies, but Ford’s precise angles and topspin rolls kept him off balance at the kitchen line. The 20-year-old credited his mental toughness for the win.
“I’ve been working a lot on my mental game. I think today I was just trying to have fun and not be so hard on myself. [Ben] is a great player—you’ve got to play your best to beat him, and I think I did that today.” – (ford)
Ford will now face No. 7 seed Christian Alshon in the quarterfinals as he looks to continue his impressive run in Texas.
News in Brief: Zane Ford Knocks Out Ben Johns
Zane Ford upset No. 2 seed Ben Johns 11-8, 7-11, 11-3 at the CIBC Texas Open in McKinney, Texas. Ford’s strong mental game and smart shot placement secured his quarterfinal spot. He will next face No. 7 seed Christian Alshon for a place in the semifinals.
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