PPA Cape Coral Open Tournament Recap: Thrilling Matches and Rising Stars
The Professional Pickleball Association (PPA) Tour made its debut on Florida’s Gulf Coast with the exciting Cape Coral Open. Held at the Lake Kennedy Racquet Center, the tournament drew enthusiastic crowds that packed the stands throughout the weekend. Let’s dive into the action-packed event that showcased both established champions and emerging talents in the world of professional pickleball.
Top 10 Plays and Moments
The Cape Coral Open delivered numerous memorable moments that had fans on the edge of their seats. Here are some of the highlights that stood out:
16-year-old John Lucian Goins pulled off a stunning upset by defeating Ben Johns in the quarterfinals. This match signaled the arrival of a new force in professional pickleball and demonstrated the rapid evolution of young talent in the sport.
Lea Jansen showcased her dominance on her path to Championship Sunday, outplaying Kaitlyn Christian with impressive skill and strategy.
Hayden Patriquin demonstrated exceptional angle play in mixed doubles alongside partner Jorja Johnson, helping secure their spot in the bronze medal match.
At 40 years old, Martin Emmrich proved age is just a number with an incredible display of athleticism. His sequence of an ATP defense, followed by a tweener, and finished with an overhead smash left spectators in awe.
The men’s quarterfinals match between Riley Newman/Dylan Frazier and Andrei Daescu/Ben Johns kicked off with an intense hands battle, setting the tone for a thrilling contest.
Up-and-coming duo Zane Ford and James Delgado scored an impressive upset victory over the experienced team of Quang Duong and Pablo Tellez.
In a lighthearted moment, Dylan Frazier and others playfully tricked commentator Dave Fleming into mispronouncing Frazier’s name as “Die-lyn” throughout an entire match.
Jack Sock’s powerful forehand was on full display in his match against Quang Duong, helping him secure a hard-fought 11-5 victory in the third game.
Rachel Rohrabacher provided a moment of humor when she hit a clean winner on a ball she thought her partner was about to strike.
A men’s doubles point that encompassed every aspect of high-level pickleball, showcasing the sport’s excitement and athleticism.
Key Tournament Storylines
Anna Leigh Waters Continues Her Reign with 33rd Triple Crown
At just 18 years old, Anna Leigh Waters has solidified her status as the greatest of all time (GOAT) in professional pickleball. Her dominance in Cape Coral was nothing short of extraordinary:
- In singles, she defeated all five opponents in straight games, winning by a combined score of 110-37. Her opponents averaged a mere 3.7 points per match against her.
- In mixed doubles with Ben Johns, they cruised to the finals, facing their toughest challenge in the Round of 64 against qualifiers.
- Women’s doubles saw Waters and Catherine Parenteau dominate without losing a single game all weekend. They even achieved a rare double pickle (11-0, 11-0) in their first-round match.
Waters’ streak of success is mind-boggling. She has now earned 39 consecutive medals, with her last medal-less event occurring on June 2, 2024. Her consistent excellence across all three disciplines of pickleball is unparalleled in the sport’s history.
See Anna Leigh’s triple crown victory
John Lucian Goins: A Rising Star Claims His First PPA Tour Medal
The 16-year-old John Lucian Goins made a spectacular run from the qualifiers to earn a bronze medal in men’s singles. His journey included:
- Dominating the qualifier rounds with a combined score of 66-19 against his opponents.
- Upsetting 8th seed Dylan Frazier in the Round of 32.
- Shocking the pickleball world by defeating 1st seed Ben Johns in the quarterfinals.
- Securing the bronze medal with a three-game victory over Max Freeman.
Goins, who turns 17 later this month, is already making waves in both pickleball and tennis. As a five-star tennis recruit, he faces an intriguing decision regarding his future in both sports.
Watch Goins’ impressive performance
Ben Johns and Anna Leigh Waters Maintain Mixed Doubles Supremacy
While the competition in mixed doubles is intensifying, Ben Johns and Anna Leigh Waters continue to set the standard. Their dominance is evident in their record:
- 33 championships in their last 35 events together.
- Pushed to three games in the finals by Anna Bright and JW Johnson, but ultimately prevailed.
The gap may be narrowing, but Johns and Waters remain the team to beat in mixed doubles. Their chemistry and skill level create a formidable partnership that few can challenge consistently.
See Ben and Anna Leigh’s mixed doubles victory
Women’s Doubles: A Two-Team Race at the Top
The women’s doubles division is currently dominated by two partnerships:
- Anna Leigh Waters and Catherine Parenteau
- Rachel Rohrabacher and Anna Bright
These two teams have made the finals in the last ten consecutive events where both pairs competed. The gap between these top teams and the rest of the field is substantial, creating a compelling narrative for the 2025 season:
- Can Rohrabacher and Bright close the gap on Waters and Parenteau?
- Will another team emerge to challenge the top two?
Watch the women’s doubles final
Andrei Daescu’s Impressive Streak in Men’s Doubles
Andrei Daescu has achieved a remarkable feat by winning his third consecutive gold medal in men’s doubles, partnering with different players in each victory:
- PPA Tucson: Gold with Christian Alshon
- PPA Mesa Cup: Gold with Christian Alshon
- PPA Cape Coral: Gold with Ben Johns
Daescu’s versatility and skill have allowed him to excel with different partners, defeating strong competition along the way. His positive communication and improved aggressive play with his new Proton Flamingo paddle have contributed to his recent success.
See Daescu’s gold medal performance
Christian Alshon Claims First Singles Gold
Christian Alshon finally broke through to win his first singles gold medal at a PPA event. This victory caps off an impressive run of performances:
- PPA Tucson: Gold in men’s doubles, silver in mixed doubles and singles
- PPA Mesa Cup: Gold in men’s doubles
- PPA Cape Coral: Gold in singles, silver in men’s doubles, bronze in mixed doubles
Alshon’s recent success across all disciplines puts him in the conversation for the best overall male player in pickleball, alongside Ben Johns and Federico Staksrud.
Watch Alshon’s singles victory
Full Results
Women’s Singles
- 🥇 Anna Leigh Waters
- 🥈 Lea Jansen
- 🥉 Kate Fahey
Men’s Singles
- 🥇 Christian Alshon
- 🥈 Jaume Martinez Vich
- 🥉 John Lucian Goins
Mixed Doubles
- 🥇 Anna Leigh Waters/Ben Johns
- 🥈 Anna Bright/JW Johnson
- 🥉 Catherine Parenteau/Christian Alshon
Women’s Doubles
- 🥇 Catherine Parenteau/Anna Leigh Waters
- 🥈 Rachel Rohrabacher/Anna Bright
- 🥉 Allyce Jones/Hurricane Tyra Black
Men’s Doubles
- 🥇 Andrei Daescu/Ben Johns
- 🥈 Christian Alshon/Federico Staksrud
- 🥉 CJ Klinger/JW Johnson
The PPA Cape Coral Open showcased the evolving landscape of professional pickleball, with established stars maintaining their dominance and young talents making their mark. As the sport continues to grow, events like these provide thrilling entertainment and a glimpse into the future of pickleball.
For those inspired by the action and looking to improve their own game, consider taking the Pickleball Skill Quiz to determine your current skill level and identify areas for improvement.
