Ben Johns Withdraws at PPA Atlanta: In an unfortunate turn of events at the CIBC PPA Atlanta Slam presented by Vizzy, No. 2 seed Ben Johns was forced to withdraw from his Round of 16 singles match against No. 50 seed Grayson Goldin. Johns, dealing with a sprained right ankle sustained on Wednesday, retired after the first game, allowing Goldin to move on to the quarterfinals.
Goldin Claims the Opening Game
Goldin showed strong form in the opening game, taking it 11-5 before Johns made the decision to retire at the break. The injury prevented Johns from continuing, despite his typical resilience and competitive spirit. Goldin, who was eager for a rematch with the highly ranked Johns, was disappointed with the circumstances but expressed respect for his opponent.
A Win, But Not the Way Goldin Wanted
“It sucks to kind of take the W that way,” Goldin said following the match. “I was really looking forward to a battle and getting my revenge on him. He’s a very great player. I respect him a lot.” Goldin acknowledged Johns’ abilities and expressed hope that his opponent will recover swiftly. I hope he manages that ankle and it heals up quickly, but I’m happy to be moving on, and hopefully I’ll see a lot of him in the future of my pickleball career,” he added.
Looking Ahead for Goldin
With Johns out, Goldin now advances to the quarterfinals, where he will face tougher competition. While the match didn’t end the way Goldin expected, his progression in the tournament presents a major opportunity as he continues to make his mark in the PPA circuit.
News in Brief: Ben Johns Withdraws at PPA Atlanta
Ben Johns, the No. 2 seed at the PPA Atlanta Slam, withdrew from his Round of 16 singles match against No. 50 Grayson Goldin due to a sprained right ankle. Goldin won the first game 11-5 before Johns retired, allowing Goldin to advance to the quarterfinals. Goldin expressed disappointment at winning by default but offered respect for Johns, hoping to face him again in the future.
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