Federico Staksrud Ends Hunter Johnson’s Run: Federico Staksrud booked his spot in the men’s singles final at the CIBC Texas Open presented by Fasenra with an 11-6, 11-8 win over No. 4 seed Hunter Johnson on Thursday at Courts of McKinney in McKinney, Texas. The top seed controlled the match to secure his first singles final appearance since January.
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Steady Play Leads to Victory
Staksrud and Johnson last met in Mesa, where Johnson won a dramatic semifinal battle. This time, Staksrud kept the match under control, capitalizing on Johnson’s inconsistent forehand. Both players faced tough challenges earlier in the tournament.
Staksrud saved two match points in the Round of 16 against Noe Khlif, while Johnson edged past John Lucian Goins 12-10 in the third. However, in Thursday’s semifinal, Staksrud played a cleaner match and took advantage of key errors to advance.
Respect for Johnson’s Game
Staksrud praised Johnson’s skills, recognizing his rapid rise in the PPA rankings.
“I’ve been saying this for like a year and a half. Hunter is an unbelievable player. I mean, he’s #3 in the world right now, but he could be #1 or #2. Honestly, he has all the shots you need in singles: the third shot, the return, the ground strokes. He makes it tough.” – (Staksrud)
Title Clash with Alshon
Staksrud will now face Christian Alshon in Sunday’s championship match. The two are also competing together in men’s doubles this week, adding another layer to their final showdown.
News in Brief: Federico Staksrud Ends Hunter Johnson’s Run
Federico Staksrud defeated Hunter Johnson 11-6, 11-8 to reach the men’s singles final at the CIBC Texas Open. The top seed will face Christian Alshon on Sunday. Staksrud praised Johnson’s rise in the rankings and looks to claim his first singles title since January’s Masters event.
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