Ben Johns and Christian Alshon held off a major upset on Thursday at the Panas Malaysia Cup 2025 in Kuala Lumpur, winning a thrilling Round of 16 match against Vietnam’s Hien Truong and Quan Do. The American pair escaped with an 11-0, 9-11, 11-8 victory after nearly being toppled by the inspired Vietnamese duo.
A Match That Shocked the Crowd
Johns and Alshon, both ranked in the top 10 of the PPA Tour, dominated the opening game 11-0 and seemed set for an easy win. But Hien Truong and Quan Do stormed back in the second game, claiming an 11-9 victory that forced a deciding third game. The momentum carried into the final frame as Truong and Do grabbed an 8-7 lead, just three points away from a stunning upset, before Johns and Alshon rallied to score four straight points and secure the win.
Praise from Anna Bright
The thrilling showdown caught the attention of fellow American pro Anna Bright, who shared her excitement online.
“Crazy freaking match in Malaysia! In lounge and it was so loud… has been for a while. Eventually I tune in and Ben and Christian are down 8-7 IN THE THIRD‼️‼️ They pull through. Sheeeeeeesh. The guys they played were so good! Asian pickleball,” Bright wrote on X after the match.
https://twitter.com/annabright108/status/1971113429047164999
A Breakthrough for Asian Players
Though Truong and Do fell short, their performance showed that Asian players can challenge the world’s best when given the chance. Their strong play proved that even elite pros like Ben Johns and Christian Alshon cannot take their opponents lightly.
What the Result Means
The near-upset does not yet mean Asia’s top players are on par with the best in the world, but it signals steady growth and rising talent in the region. Whether Johns and Alshon simply had an off day or Truong and Do played the match of their lives, the contest gave fans plenty of reason to keep watching the Panas Malaysia Cup 2025.
News in Brief: Ben Johns and Christian Alshon
Ben Johns and Christian Alshon survived a scare at the Panas Malaysia Cup 2025, edging Vietnam’s Hien Truong and Quan Do 11-0, 9-11, 11-8 in a Round of 16 thriller. Anna Bright praised the Vietnamese pair, calling the match “crazy” and highlighting the growing strength of Asian pickleball talent.
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