Veolia Austin Open: Alshon and Navratil Stun Top-Seeded Johns Brothers in Quarterfinals
In a remarkable turn of events at the Veolia Austin Open, the pickleball men’s draw witnessed a colossal upset. Christian Alshon, alongside his partner Zane Navratil, orchestrated the most significant victory of the tournament, and indeed their season, by overcoming the top-seeded Johns brothers in a thrilling quarterfinal match.
Alshon, who is riding a wave of success after clinching gold in Minnesota with Thomas Wilson, continued his winning streak. The dynamic duo of Alshon and Navratil, seeded ninth, showcased a formidable display of skill and mental fortitude, particularly in the face of multiple match points, to secure their victory with scores of 11-6, 15-13.
The synergy between Alshon and Navratil was palpable, as they demonstrated an aggressive playstyle that left the Johns brothers struggling to keep pace. Despite a rare defensive timeout by the Johns brothers, they could not fend off the relentless assault, trailing 8-2 in the first game.
As the tournament progresses, all eyes are on Alshon and Navratil as they prepare to face the third-seeded team of Federico Staksrud and Pablo Tellez in the semifinals. This marks only the third tournament for Alshon and Navratil as a team, yet they have already made a statement by defeating the game’s top team.
The pickleball community is abuzz with anticipation for the semifinals on Sunday, where Alshon and Navratil will attempt to continue their extraordinary journey in the Veolia Austin Open.
PPA News Release
