PPA CIBC Texas Open Presented by Fasenra: A Comprehensive Tournament Preview
The Professional Pickleball Association (PPA) Tour is making history in 2025 with back-to-back weekends of intense competition. Following last week’s inaugural event in Cape Coral, Florida, the tour now heads to McKinney, Texas, a northern suburb of Dallas, for another first-time stop. The PPA CIBC Texas Open Presented by Fasenra promises to deliver thrilling matches and potential upsets as top players vie for 1,000 PPA Points in each event.
Tournament Details and Venue
The Courts of McKinney at Gabe Nesbitt Community Park will host this prestigious event, offering a diverse range of playing surfaces:
- 4 dedicated outdoor courts
- 8 hybrid (tennis or pickleball) outdoor courts
- 4 dedicated indoor courts
- 8 additional hybrid outdoor courts
The tournament follows a traditional draw format:
- Wednesday: Qualifiers
- Thursday: Singles
- Friday: Mixed Doubles
- Saturday: Gender Doubles
- Sunday: Championship Matches
Weather Outlook and Potential Challenges
While the forecast shows no precipitation during the event, players and spectators should brace for challenging wind conditions. Friday is expected to see winds up to 27 mph, with Saturday following at 16 mph. These strong gusts could significantly impact play, potentially forcing matches indoors if conditions become too severe.
How to Watch
Fans can catch all the action through various broadcast options:
- Thursday-Sunday: Noon – 8 pm ET on PickleballTV (Championship Court)
- Friday: 11 pm – 1 am ET on FS2
- Saturday: 6 pm – 8 pm ET on FS2 (concurrent with PickleballTV)
- Sunday: 10 pm – Midnight ET on FS1 (Replays)
Women’s Singles: Will Anna Leigh Waters’ Dominance Continue?
The women’s singles competition is shaping up to be a thrilling showcase of talent and determination. Here are the key storylines to watch:
Anna Leigh Waters’ Unbeaten Streak
All eyes are on top-seeded Anna Leigh Waters, who enters the tournament with an unblemished record in 2025. Her dominant performance in Cape Coral, where she didn’t drop a single game, has set the bar incredibly high. The question on everyone’s mind is whether any challenger can push her to the limit or potentially cause an upset.
Fierce Competition from the Round of 16
While Waters remains the favorite, the depth of talent in the women’s field promises exciting matchups from the Round of 16 onwards. With most encounters expected to be closely contested, fans can anticipate nail-biting rallies and potential surprises.
New Challengers on the Horizon?
So far this year, Kaitlyn Christian, Brooke Buckner, and Lea Jansen have emerged as Waters’ primary competitors for titles. The Texas Open presents an opportunity for a new face to break through and challenge for the championship on Sunday.
Predictions
Semi-finalists: Expect the top seeds to prevail, with (1) Anna Leigh Waters, (3) Brooke Buckner, (2) Kaitlyn Christian, and (4) Kate Fahey reaching the final four.
Finals: Anna Leigh Waters is predicted to face Kate Fahey in the championship match, with Waters likely to emerge victorious and maintain her impressive winning streak.
Men’s Singles: The Return of Federico Staksrud
The men’s singles competition promises intense battles and potential upsets. Here are the key narratives to follow:
Staksrud’s Comeback
Top-seeded Federico Staksrud returns to singles action after skipping the Cape Coral event. His presence adds an extra layer of excitement to an already competitive field.
Ben Johns’ Quest for Redemption
After an unexpected early exit in Cape Coral, second-seeded Ben Johns aims to bounce back and reassert his dominance in the singles category. This tournament marks his third consecutive singles event after taking a break from the discipline earlier in the season.
Absence of Recent Bronze Medalist
John Lucian Goins, who claimed bronze in Cape Coral and upset Ben Johns, will not be competing in Texas. This absence could potentially pave the way for more predictable outcomes among the top seeds.
Predictions
Semi-finalists: (1) Federico Staksrud, (4) Hunter Johnson, (2) Ben Johns, and (6) Jaume Martinez Vich are expected to reach the final four.
Finals: A rematch of the PPA Mesa Cup is anticipated, with Hunter Johnson facing Ben Johns. Johns is favored to clinch the title in a thrilling three-game match.
Mixed Doubles: New Partnerships and Reunions
The mixed doubles event features intriguing team compositions and the potential for unexpected results. Key storylines include:
Johnson Sibling Reunion
After partnering with Anna Bright in Cape Coral, (2) JW Johnson reunites with his sister Jorja for the Texas Open. Their familial chemistry could prove advantageous on the court.
MLP Stars Join Forces
(4) Hayden Patriquin and Anna Bright, standout performers for the St. Louis Shock in Major League Pickleball last year, aim to translate their success to the PPA Tour.
Staksrud and Tuionetoa’s Comeback
(6) Etta Tuionetoa and Federico Staksrud partner for the first time in over 18 months. Their last collaboration dates back to the 2023 Orange County Cup, and fans are eager to see if they can recapture their former synergy.
Predictions
Semi-finalists: (1) Anna Leigh Waters/Ben Johns, (4) Anna Bright/Hayden Patriquin, (13) Hurricane Tyra Black/Jaume Martinez Vich, and (3) Catherine Parenteau/Christian Alshon are expected to reach the final four.
Finals: The formidable duo of Anna Leigh Waters and Ben Johns is predicted to overcome Catherine Parenteau and Christian Alshon in a closely contested three-game match.
Women’s Doubles: Dominance at the Top
The women’s doubles competition showcases established partnerships and exciting new teams. Key points of interest include:
Top Seeds’ Stranglehold
The top two seeded teams have reached the finals in every event they’ve entered in 2025, with the sole exception being the Australian tournament they didn’t attend. Can any team break this pattern of dominance?
New Partnership to Watch
(5) Callie Smith teams up with Etta Tuionetoa for the first time. Both players prefer the left side, which could lead to some interesting tactical adjustments.
Dark Horse Contenders
The pairing of (7) Jade Kawamoto and Lacy Schneemann has caught the eye of many observers. They have the potential to challenge higher-seeded teams, particularly the (3) duo of Parris Todd and Hurricane Tyra Black.
Predictions
Semi-finalists: (1) Catherine Parenteau/Anna Leigh Waters, (6) Lucy Kovalova/Lea Jansen, (2) Rachel Rohrabacher/Anna Bright, and (7) Jade Kawamoto/Lacy Schneemann are expected to reach the final four.
Finals: Catherine Parenteau and Anna Leigh Waters are favored to defeat Rachel Rohrabacher and Anna Bright (affectionately known as “The Girlies”) in a four-game thriller.
Men’s Doubles: New Partnerships and Potential Upsets
The men’s doubles event features a mix of established teams and exciting new partnerships. Key storylines to follow include:
Andrei Daescu’s Golden Streak
(3) Andrei Daescu aims for his fourth consecutive men’s doubles gold medal, this time partnering with Dylan Frazier. Can they maintain Daescu’s winning momentum?
Fresh Partnerships
Several new and intriguing teams are debuting at this event, including:
- (5) Matt Wright/Dekel Bar
- (6) Collin Johns/James Ignatowich
- (8) Tyson McGuffin/Quang Duong
- (9) Pablo Tellez/Hayden Patriquin
- (11) Max Freeman/Riley Newman
Senior Tour Champions Test PPA Waters
(31) Altaf Merchant and Steve Deakin, dominant forces on the senior tour, look to make their mark against the PPA Tour’s top talent.
Miami Pickleball Club Teammates Unite
(14) Jay Devilliers and Noe Khlif, new teammates from the Miami Pickleball Club, partner for the first time in PPA competition.
Predictions
Semi-finalists: (7) CJ Klinger/JW Johnson, (10) Tyler Loong/Connor Garnett, (2) Gabe Tardio/Ben Johnson, and (9) Augie Ge/Jaume Martinez Vich are expected to reach the final four.
Finals: CJ Klinger and JW Johnson are predicted to overcome Gabe Tardio and Ben Johnson in an epic five-game match that could go down as one of the tournament’s most memorable encounters.
Conclusion: A Tournament Brimming with Potential
The PPA CIBC Texas Open Presented by Fasenra promises to be an electrifying event, showcasing the sport’s top talent across all disciplines. With a mix of established stars, rising contenders, and intriguing new partnerships, pickleball fans are in for a treat. The challenging weather conditions add an extra layer of unpredictability, potentially leading to surprising results and memorable matches.
As the PPA Tour continues to expand its reach with new locations like McKinney, Texas, the growth and excitement surrounding professional pickleball continue to soar. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or a casual observer, this tournament offers something for everyone, from nail-biting rallies to potential upsets and the crowning of new champions.
Be sure to tune in throughout the weekend to catch all the action, and don’t be surprised if this Texas-sized event delivers some of the most thrilling pickleball of the 2025 season.
