Jorja Johnson Stuns Top Seeds: Jorja Johnson led two stunning upsets on Championship Sunday at the Veolia North Carolina Open in North Carolina. Despite early threats of rain, the day ran smoothly, producing two shocking victories against the tournament’s top seeds in women’s doubles and mixed doubles competition.
Fans expected dominance from the top-ranked players. Instead, they watched one of the weekend’s brightest stars shine through in back-to-back surprise wins.
Johnson and Black Take Down Top Women’s Team
The first upset came in women’s doubles. Jorja Johnson and Tyra Black, seeded third, defeated #1 team Catherine Parenteau and Anna Leigh Waters. After losing game one 1-11, Johnson and Black came back to win three straight games: 11-6, 11-4, 11-7. Their comeback showed resilience after a rough start.
This win positions them as another strong team in women’s doubles, joining other rising challengers like Anna Bright and Rachel Rohrabacher.
Mixed Doubles Win Over Fan Favorites
The day’s second upset also starred Jorja Johnson. She and her brother JW Johnson defeated #1 seed Anna Leigh Waters and Ben Johns in mixed doubles. The five-game final was a close and competitive match.
The Johnsons won 8-11, 11-7, 11-6, 3-11, 11-8. This win marked Jorja Johnson’s second victory over Anna Leigh Waters in one day.
What It Means for the Tour
These two upsets could shift the power balance in pro pickleball. Jorja Johnson proved she can beat the best — more than once. With strong partners and consistent play, she may become a major threat in both women’s and mixed doubles. Fans will now watch to see if these new pairings can stay on top.
News in Brief: Jorja Johnson Stuns Top Seeds
Jorja Johnson led two big upsets at the Veolia North Carolina Open. She and Tyra Black beat #1 women’s doubles team Parenteau/Waters. Then, Johnson and her brother JW defeated top seeds Waters/Ben Johns in mixed doubles. Her strong play may shake up the rankings in both divisions.
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