VEOLIA PPA Cape Coral Open Presented by Proton – Tournament Preview

The Professional Pickleball Association (PPA) Tour is back in action after a brief hiatus, bringing the excitement to the Lake Kennedy Racquet Center in Cape Coral, Florida. This marks the PPA Tour’s inaugural visit to this impressive facility, which boasts 32 permanent pickleball courts and 12 tennis courts (likely to be temporarily converted for the tournament). As an Open level tournament, competitors are vying for 1,000 PPA Points, adding an extra layer of intensity to the proceedings.

Tournament Structure and Schedule

The Cape Coral Open follows a traditional tournament format, spanning five days of intense competition:

Wednesday: Qualifiers
Thursday: Singles
Friday: Mixed Doubles
Saturday: Gender Doubles
Sunday: Championship Matches

This structure allows for a comprehensive showcase of talent across various pickleball disciplines, giving spectators and players alike a full pickleball experience.

Weather Outlook: A Potential Game-Changer

Weather conditions are poised to play a significant role in the tournament dynamics. While most days are expected to be clear, Championship Sunday faces a potential threat of rain, which could lead to schedule adjustments or challenging playing conditions. However, the more pressing concern for players throughout the tournament will be the wind. Forecasts predict double-digit wind speeds on Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday, with Thursday potentially seeing gusts up to 17mph. These windy conditions will undoubtedly test the players’ adaptability and strategic acumen, potentially leading to some unexpected outcomes and requiring adjustments in playing styles.

How to Watch

Pickleball enthusiasts can catch all the action on PickleballTV. The broadcast schedule is as follows:

Thursday, March 6th – Women’s and Men’s Singles: 11am – 7pm ET (Championship Court), 11am – 5pm ET (Grandstand Court)
Friday, March 7th – Mixed Doubles: 11am – 7pm ET (Championship Court), 11am – 5pm ET (Grandstand Court)
Saturday, March 8th – Women’s and Men’s Doubles: 11am – 7pm ET (Championship Court), 11am – 5pm ET (Grandstand Court)
Sunday, March 9th – Championship Sunday: 10am – 5pm ET (Championship Court), 10am – 2pm ET (Grandstand Court for Bronze Matches)

Women’s Singles: Dominance and Rising Stars

The women’s singles competition is shaping up to be a thrilling affair, with several compelling storylines to follow:

Anna Leigh Waters’ Winning Streak: The top-seeded player hasn’t lost a singles match since May 31st, 2024, showcasing her dominance in the sport. Her performance in Cape Coral will be closely watched to see if she can maintain this impressive run.
Genie Bouchard vs. Parris Todd: A potential Round of 16 match between these two in-form players could be one of the tournament’s early highlights. Both athletes are playing exceptionally well, making this a must-watch encounter if it materializes.
Callie Smith’s Singles Appearance: Known more for her doubles play, Smith’s entry into the singles competition adds an intriguing element to the draw. Her match against Kate Fahey could provide some surprises.

Predictions for the women’s singles point towards a semi-final lineup featuring Anna Leigh Waters, Kate Fahey, Kaitlyn Christian, and Brooke Buckner. The final is likely to see Waters continuing her dominant form, potentially facing off against Christian in a rematch of the PPA Mesa Cup semi-finals.

Men’s Singles: The Return of the King?

The men’s singles competition is equally packed with intriguing storylines:

Ben Johns’ Comeback: After skipping singles in the first two PPA Tour events of the year, Johns is back and looking to build on his victory in Mesa. His performance will be crucial in determining if he can reassert his dominance in the singles format.
Eric Oncins’ Potential Upset: Seeded 36th due to limited PPA appearances, Oncins is a formidable singles player who could push higher-ranked opponents like Hunter Johnson to their limits.
James Ignatowich’s Tough Draw: The 33rd seed faces a challenging path, potentially meeting Ben Johns in the Round of 32 if he can overcome Wyatt Stone.

Keep an eye on rising star Zane Ford, recently picked up by the NY Hustlers, who could face veteran Tyson McGuffin in an exciting Round of 16 matchup. Another intriguing potential clash is Jack Sock versus Quang Duong, depending on Duong’s recovery from a recent injury.

Predictions for the men’s singles suggest semi-finalists could include Ben Johns, Jaume Martinez Vich, Jack Sock, and Zane Ford. The final may see Johns facing off against Sock in what would be a highly anticipated match-up.

Mixed Doubles: Partnerships and Predictions

The mixed doubles event promises high-level competition right from the early rounds:

Competitive Early Rounds: A Round of 64 match between Tammy Emmrich/Daniel De La Rosa and Genie Erokhina/Yates Johnson highlights the depth of talent in the field.
Anna Leigh Waters and Ben Johns: After an upset in the PPA Mesa Cup semi-finals, this top-seeded pair is expected to come back with a vengeance.
New Partnerships: Several new and intriguing partnerships are forming, including Anna Bright with JW Johnson, and Jorja Johnson teaming up with Hayden Patriquin.

The mixed doubles event could see semi-finalists including Waters/Johns, Johnson/Patriquin, Bright/Johnson, and Parenteau/Alshon. The final is predicted to be a showdown between Waters/Johns and Parenteau/Alshon, with the former likely to emerge victorious.

Women’s Doubles: The Battle Continues

The women’s doubles competition has been a highlight of the 2025 season so far:

Consistent Finalists: Every event in 2025 has seen Catherine Parenteau/Anna Leigh Waters face off against Rachel Rohrabacher/Anna Bright in the finals. Will this trend continue in Cape Coral?
New Partnerships: Keep an eye on Callie Smith teaming up with newcomer Victoria Di Muzio, replacing Vivian Glozman. Their left-side dominant style could shake things up.
Potential Upsets: The 17th-seeded pair of Layne Sleeth and Kaitlyn Christian could cause some surprises in the draw.

Predictions for women’s doubles suggest semi-finalists could include Parenteau/Waters, Kovalova/Jansen, Rohrabacher/Bright, and Todd/Johnson. The final is likely to see Parenteau and Waters aiming for their fourth straight title in 2025.

Men’s Doubles: New Partnerships and Potential Upsets

The men’s doubles event features several new partnerships and potential for upsets:

Ben Johns’ New Partner: Following recent developments, Johns is teaming up with Andrei Daescu, which could lead to some interesting on-court adjustments.
New Powerhouse Duo: Christian Alshon and Federico Staksrud are partnering for the first time, creating a formidable team to watch.
Collin Johns’ Experimentation: With Collin Johns playing alongside Noe Khlif, we’ll see how this new partnership fares without his brother Ben.

Exciting potential matchups include Matt Wright/Zane Navratil versus Riley Newman/Dylan Frazier in the Round of 16, which promises high energy and possibly some verbal sparring. The St. Louis Shock teammates, Hayden Patriquin and Gabe Tardio, are also ones to watch as they navigate the draw.

Predictions for men’s doubles point towards semi-finalists including Daescu/Johns, Tardio/Patriquin, Alshon/Staksrud, and Johns/Khlif. In a bold prediction, Tardio and Patriquin are tipped to upset the top seeds and claim victory in the final against Alshon and Staksrud.

Conclusion: A Tournament of Opportunities

The VEOLIA PPA Cape Coral Open Presented by Proton is shaping up to be an exciting tournament filled with potential upsets, new partnerships, and high-level pickleball across all events. With challenging weather conditions adding an extra layer of unpredictability, players will need to adapt quickly and strategize effectively to come out on top. Whether you’re a die-hard pickleball fan or new to the sport, this tournament promises to deliver thrilling matches, unexpected twists, and a showcase of the best talent in professional pickleball today.

For those looking to dive deeper into the world of pickleball, consider checking out the Pickleball Skill Quiz to assess your own skill level and see how you stack up against the pros. And for the latest in pickleball news and insights, don’t forget to follow The Dink’s comprehensive coverage of the sport.

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