Christian Alshon Outclasses Rivals to Win: The 2025 CIBC Texas Open, held in McKinney, saw fierce competition despite challenging wind conditions. Christian Alshon secured the gold medal in men’s pro singles, defeating No. 1 seed Federico Staksrud in the final. Jaume Martinez Vich took home the bronze.
Windy Conditions Shape the Tournament
Hot and blustery weather dominated the weekend, with initial forecasts predicting wind speeds of 25-40 mph and gusts up to 60 mph. While conditions improved slightly by game time, players still struggled with unpredictable ball movement. The wind played a major role in several upsets and unexpected results throughout the tournament.
Early Rounds and Standout Performances
The men’s singles qualifying draw featured 64 players competing for just eight spots in the main bracket. Thomas Yu made a statement by upsetting No. 15 James Hewett early, advancing as a No. 51 seed.
Eric Oncins, recently in Major League Pickleball (MLP) news, notched key wins over Campbell and Bellamy to reach the Round of 16. John Lucian Goins, fresh off a bronze medal finish last week, continued his strong play, defeating Brown and Gabriel Tardio to advance. Germany’s Tom Protzek, a lucky loser, also impressed, earning wins over Benitez and Loyd.
Tight Matches in the Round of 16
Goins nearly pulled off another upset but fell to No. 4 Hunter Johnson in a close three-game battle, ending 12-10 in the decider. No. 16 Noe Khlif pushed No. 1 Staksrud even further, forcing a third game that ended 13-11. However, the biggest shock came when Zane Ford eliminated the legendary Ben Johns in the early rounds, marking another major upset for the all-time great.
Road to the Final
Top-seeded Staksrud rebounded from his tough match against Khlif, securing wins over No. 8 Quang Duong in the quarterfinals and Johnson in the semis.
Meanwhile, No. 7 Alshon, last week’s champion, continued his dominant run. He defeated Ford in the quarterfinals before dispatching Vich in the semis, setting up a showdown with Staksrud.
Alshon’s Commanding Finals Performance
In the final, Alshon proved why he is now considered one of the best all-around players in pickleball. He controlled the match from start to finish, defeating Staksrud 11-4, 11-7 to claim back-to-back titles. While Staksrud holds the No. 1 ranking in singles and doubles, it is Alshon who has captured the spotlight with his recent performances.
Podium Finishers
- Gold: Christian Alshon
- Silver: Federico Staksrud
- Bronze: Jaume Martinez Vich
What’s Next?
With another major title under his belt, Alshon is making a strong case as the sport’s top contender. The PPA Tour now moves to its next stop, where players will look to build on their performances from McKinney. Fans will be eager to see if Alshon can continue his hot streak or if another challenger will rise to the occasion.
News in Brief: Christian Alshon Outclasses Rivals to Win
Christian Alshon dominated the 2025 CIBC Texas Open, defeating No. 1 seed Federico Staksrud in the men’s pro singles final. Jaume Martinez Vich secured bronze. Windy conditions caused unpredictable play, leading to major upsets, including Ben Johns’ early exit. Alshon’s back-to-back wins make him the sport’s rising star.