Ben Johns and Gabriel Tardio claimed their fourth consecutive PPA men’s doubles championship with a 11-2, 11-6, 11-9 victory over Christian Alshon and Andrei Daescu. The match, played on Championship Sunday, saw the top seeds overcome a late push from their opponents to extend their winning streak.
View this post on Instagram
Early Control and Late Drama
Johns and Tardio dominated the first two games, using sharp placement and quick transitions to keep Christian Alshon and Andrei Daescu on the defensive. In the third game, the top seeds surged ahead 10-3 and appeared ready to close the match.
However, Alshon and Daescu fought back with strong rallies, cutting the deficit to 9-10. The comeback attempt energized the crowd, but Johns and Tardio regained the serve and secured the win on their seventh match point.
Tardio Reflects on the Challenge
Gabriel Tardio admitted that the late-game rally from their opponents tested his composure.
“I think we got a little satisfied,”
he told Pickleballtv’s Kamryn Blackwood and Matt Manasse.
“I think we took the lead for granted and they came back a little bit, and I started to get a little tight. My drops started to get a little higher, but I just told myself to get the kitchen line and let Ben handle things.”
View this post on Instagram
A Performance to Remember
For Ben Johns, the win stood out as one of the best matches he and Tardio have played together.
“I felt personally that this was probably our best performance in a final, level-wise. I was super satisfied with how we played in pretty much all respects in every game.”(Ben Johns)
The title also marked the first time since Ben Johns and his brother Collin Johns that any team has won four straight PPA men’s doubles events.
Respect for the Finalists
On the other side, Christian Alshon and Andrei Daescu earned their second consecutive silver medal after also falling to Johns and Tardio in the Las Vegas Open final weeks earlier. Despite the loss, Andrei Daescu highlighted the importance of reaching the championship round.
“It’s extremely challenging. There are a lot of really good teams out there, so making the final is a really good result. Things didn’t go our way today, but props to Ben and Gabe. They played an amazing final.”(Andrei Daescu)
What It Means Moving Forward
The victory solidifies Ben Johns and Gabriel Tardio as the leading men’s doubles team on the PPA Tour. Their consistent dominance raises the bar for challengers. For Christian Alshon and Andrei Daescu, back-to-back runner-up finishes show they are close to breaking through in a competitive field.
News in Brief: Ben Johns and Gabriel Tardio
Ben Johns and Gabriel Tardio won their fourth straight PPA men’s doubles title, defeating Christian Alshon and Andrei Daescu 11-2, 11-6, 11-9. Johns and Tardio nearly let a third-game lead slip away but finished strong. The win marked their most complete performance, extending their run of dominance.
ALSO READ: Johnson Siblings Dominate Cincinnati Pickleball Showcase With Unstoppable Straight-Sets Victory