Ben Johns and Anna Leigh Waters continued their dominance in mixed doubles, claiming gold at the 2025 PPA Tour CIBC Texas Open in McKinney, Texas. The No. 1 team overcame Jorja Johnson and JW Johnson in three closely contested games to maintain their unbeaten record in gold medal matches against the sibling duo.
Surprising Runs and Early Upsets
The tournament saw unexpected results, with lower-seeded teams making deep runs. The No. 26 pairing of Eric Oncins and Alix Truong pulled off a stunning upset over No. 3 Christian Alshon and Catherine Parenteau before falling in the semifinals to the Johnsons.
Meanwhile, No. 25 Noe Khlif and Kate Fahey gave Johns and Waters an early scare, pushing them to a tight 15-13 first game before ultimately losing in two straight.
Intense Semifinal Battles
The standout match of the draw was the 1 vs. 4 semifinal, featuring Johns and Waters against Anna Bright and Hayden Patriquin. Both teams, familiar with high-pressure situations from Major League Pickleball, played a thrilling three-game match filled with competitive exchanges and playful banter. Johns and Waters secured the victory 11-8 in the third, setting up their showdown with the Johnsons in the final.
Another Gold for the No. 1 Team
In the final, the top-seeded duo met Jorja and JW Johnson for the eighth time in a championship match. As in their previous encounters, Johns and Waters prevailed, reinforcing their dominance in the mixed doubles circuit.
News in Brief: Ben Johns and Anna Leigh Waters
Ben Johns and Anna Leigh Waters won the 2025 PPA Tour CIBC Texas Open mixed doubles title, defeating Jorja and JW Johnson in three games. Upsets marked the early rounds, with No. 26 Oncins and Truong making a deep run. Johns and Waters also edged Bright and Patriquin in a close semifinal match.