PPA Bristol Mixed Double Winners: The Bristol Sportsplex bore witness to a masterclass in mixed doubles pickleball on Sunday, as the top-seeded duo of Anna Leigh Waters and Ben Johns delivered a decisive performance in the final. With precision and poise, they defeated the No. 2 seeds, Anna Bright and Christian Alshon, in straight games: 11-3, 11-1, and 11-4.
This victory wasn’t just another title for Waters and Johns; it was a statement. Both players arrived at the finals riding the momentum of earlier successes in women’s doubles and men’s singles, but it was the way they carried that energy into the mixed doubles final that stood out. Johns, known for his ability to blend aggressive play with calculated control, set the tone from the start. Yet, as the final points were tallied, he was quick to deflect the praise.
“[Anna Leigh] is super easy to play with, so I just get to go with the flow and try and play good points,” Johns remarked, downplaying the complexity of their partnership. But anyone who’s followed their journey knows that reaching this level of synchronicity is far from simple.
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Another Title in an Unstoppable Season
This latest victory adds yet another trophy to Waters and Johns’ already overflowing cabinet in 2024. With ten mixed doubles titles under their belts this year alone, the duo has firmly established themselves as the team to beat on the circuit. But their ambitions don’t end here. They now shift their focus to the upcoming Las Vegas Pickleball Cup, a tournament set to run from August 26 to September 1, where they’ll aim to continue their dominant run.
A First-Time Pairing Finds the Podium
While Waters and Johns celebrated their victory, another story was unfolding on a different court. In the bronze medal match, the No. 14 seeds Jackie Kawamoto and Jaume Martinez Vich wrapped up their remarkable tournament run with an 11-5 and 11-7 win over the No. 4 seeds, Tina Pisnik and Dekel Bar. For Kawamoto and Martinez Vich, a pairing new to this level of competition, the podium finish marked a significant achievement and hinted at potential future successes.
News in Brief: PPA Bristol Mixed Double Winners
Anna Leigh Waters and Ben Johns dominated the mixed doubles final at the Bristol Sportsplex, defeating Anna Bright and Christian Alshon 11-3, 11-1, and 11-4. The top seeds showed their exceptional synergy, with Johns praising Waters.
This victory marks their tenth mixed doubles title in 2024. Meanwhile, in the bronze medal match, Jackie Kawamoto and Jaume Martinez Vich, seeded No. 14, secured a podium finish with an 11-5 and 11-7 win over Tina Pisnik and Dekel Bar. Waters and Johns now preparing for the Las Vegas Pickleball Cup.
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