PPA Rate Las Vegas Championships Men’s Singles: After an action-packed two-event week in Virginia Beach, the 2024 PPA Rate Las Vegas Championship brought excitement back to Sin City. Known for its growing pickleball scene, Las Vegas has previously hosted a variety of significant events, and this event at the Darling Tennis Center did not disappoint, with competitors battling under the scorching 90+ degree desert sun.
Early Exits: A Tough Break for Ben Johns
In a shocking twist, the tournament saw Ben Johns suffer yet another early exit, continuing a troubling trend for the reigning star. In 2024, he faced pre-finals losses to players like Quang Duong, Jaume Martinez Vich, and Hayden Patriquin, raising concerns about his performance.
Despite sitting out seven singles events, Ben Johns still boasts a perfect 4-0 record against #1 Federico Staksrud this year and holds the #2 position in overall and year-to-date singles rankings. However, his early-round struggles have created doubt as he heads into crucial matchups.
This time around, it was Roscoe Bellamy who pulled off the upset, rallying from a game down to take down Ben Johns. This unexpected defeat added to the growing list of early-round exits for the star, prompting questions about his future performances.
Michael Loyd’s Breakthrough Performance
In the bottom half of the Men’s draw, the tournament faced a shakeup with the last-minute withdrawals of #4 Tyson McGuffin and #5 Christian Alshon. This allowed #30 Michael Loyd to seize the opportunity, taking out lucky loser #5 seed Claudio Quinones Garcia, the recent winner of the $25k The Kitchen event. Michael Loyd’s impressive performance led him to the semifinals, marking a career-best achievement.
However, Roscoe Bellamy’s hard-fought victory over Ben Johns seemed to have taken its toll. He retired in the quarterfinals against Quang Duong, who capitalized on the opportunity to advance to the finals, marking his second gold medal appearance.
Federico Staksrud vs. Connor Garnett
In contrast, the top half of the draw played out with fewer surprises. #8 Jack Sock returned, aiming to recover from his disappointing round of 64 exit at the Atlanta Slam. Jack Sock progressed smoothly through the early rounds before being stopped by one of the hottest players on tour, #3 Connor Garnett, with a score of 9-1 in the quarters.
Top seed Federico Staksrud faced a challenging path to the semifinals, defeating solid competitors Ryan Fu, Collin Shick, and Jaume Martinez Vich. The semifinal clash between Federico Staksrud and Connor Garnett turned into a thrilling battle, showing their fierce rivalry. Connor Garnett ultimately edged out Federico Staksrud with a come-from-behind win, improving to 3-3 in their six meetings this year, and securing a spot in the gold medal match against Quang Duong.
Quang Duong’s Historic Victory
In the final, Quang Duong finally broke through to claim his first professional singles title, overcoming Connor Garnett in a tightly contested match, winning 8-9. The victory marks a significant milestone in his career, solidifying his status as a rising star in pickleball.
Medalists
- Gold: Quang Duong
- Silver: Connor Garnett
- Bronze: Federico Staksrud
News in Brief: PPA Rate Las Vegas Championships Men’s Singles
The Men’s Pro Singles at the 2024 PPA Rate Las Vegas Championship showcased unexpected upsets, with Quang Duong claiming his first professional title after defeating Connor Garnett in the final. Ben Johns faced another early exit, raising concerns about his performance.
Michael Loyd made a notable run to the semifinals, while Federico Staksrud continued to show his competitiveness. The tournament highlighted the intense competition in Las Vegas, adding to the city’s reputation as a key destination for pickleball events.
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