Eric Oncins and Tom Protzek earned surprise victories in the men’s singles at the 2025 Veolia Atlanta Pickleball Championships. Oncins, the No. 54 seed, defeated No. 15 seed Zane Ford 11-6, 11-5, while Protzek, ranked No. 56, upset No. 9 seed Michael Loyd. Both players advanced to the Round of 32.
View this post on Instagram
Eric Oncins’ Strong Performance
Eric Oncins, ranked No. 54, secured an impressive win over Zane Ford, the No. 15 seed, with scores of 11-6 and 11-5. Although Oncins has performed well in doubles recently, he has not had a breakthrough in singles.
This victory could provide him with the momentum needed to make a strong run in the tournament. Oncins will face No. 21 seed Mohaned Alhouni in the next round.
Tom Protzek Upsets Michael Loyd
About 20 minutes after Oncins’ match, Tom Protzek, the No. 56 seed, earned a solid victory against No. 9 seed Michael Loyd. Protzek won 11-7, 11-4, and is now 2-0 against Loyd after also beating him at the 2025 CIBC Texas Open in March.
Protzek, who signed a contract with UPA on May 2, is already making an impact. “I knew it was going to be tough because he knows all my shots now, but I got it done,” Protzek said of the match. Protzek will now face No. 18 seed Noe Khlif in the next round.
“I’m very, very happy with this win and am looking forward to the Round of 32. We’ll see—maybe I can make a run.” – (Protzek )
View this post on Instagram
News in Brief: Eric Oncins and Tom Protzek
Eric Oncins and Tom Protzek scored upset victories in the first round of the 2025 Veolia Atlanta Pickleball Championships. Oncins defeated Zane Ford 11-6, 11-5, while Protzek beat Michael Loyd 11-7, 11-4. Both players advanced to the Round of 32 and will face new challenges on Wednesday.