Thrills and Controversy Abound at APP Houston Open
Pickleball’s biggest names battle for gold in event marked by questionable calls
Women's Singles Sees Retirement Drama and Dominance from Top Seed (2:16)
The women's singles draw at the 2023 APP Houston Open was marked by controversy, as top American female player Megan Fudge announced her retirement from the singles bracket mid-tournament. Fudge cited repeated questionable line calls from top seed and defending champion Salome Devidze as the reason for her withdrawal.
In an Instagram post, Fudge claimed Devidze had 4 clear overrules against her in their tournament match, just as she did in a previous event. "A player cannot continue to cheat and hope that refs miss it and have zero consequences," Fudge wrote. "Enough is enough. Time to take action."
Host Chris Cali weighed in on the drama, applauding Fudge for trying to enact change but questioning if her boycott would be impactful enough. "I don't think any players are just going to retire just because of Salome," he said. "You can't encourage this type of stuff. Something definitely has to change."
Devidze, meanwhile, cruised to the final, where she defeated Judith Castillo in straight sets. The 37-year-old Georgian native has dominated the US singles circuit in recent years but has generated controversy with her liberal line calls. "For most people it's the bad line calls," Cali said. "For me, it's the sound you make after every shot."
Teen Phenoms Quang Duong and Ronan Camron Battle in Men's Final (10:01)
The men's singles draw provided a glimpse into the future of the sport, as two teenage phenoms battled for gold. 19-year-old Kuang Dang, known as the "ball bender" for his ability to shape shots, took on 17-year-old Ronan Cameron in a clash of exciting young talents.
Duong cruised to a dominant straight sets victory, showcasing his blistering groundstrokes and deft touch at the net. The American has burst onto the pro scene over the last two years, rising rapidly up the rankings.
"It just goes to show you how new pickleball is," commented Cali. "We've got a bunch of teenagers playing at the professional level."
With his maiden APP tour win, Duong looks poised to become a force in the men's singles bracket for years to come. Meanwhile, Camron gained valuable experience and demonstrated his own shotmaking talents in a run to the final.
Veterans Susanna Barr and Megan Fudge Take Down Young Stars For Women's Doubles Gold (14:17)
The women's doubles final pitted the veteran duo of Susannah Barr and Megan Fudge against up-and-coming partners Vivian Glozman and Alix Truong. Glozman and Truong represent an exciting new generation of all-around athletes who grew up playing pickleball. But the savvy Fudge/Barr relied on their experience to come away with a hard-fought victory.
The match was tightly contested, with the teams battling through long, athletic rallies showcasing quick reflexes at the non-volley zone. "This is women's doubles all day long," enthused Cali during one 14-shot exchange.
Glozman and Truong took the veterans to a tiebreak in the second set, but Barr and Fudge ultimately prevailed 15-11. The gold medal represents redemption for Fudge, who withdrew from the singles event earlier in the week.
"Another gold medal for Megan Fudge and Susannah Barr," said Cali, applauding the champions. "Alex Truong with a thousand yard stare after the match. She's devastated."
Andrei Daescu and Susanna Barr Repeat as Mixed Doubles Champions (25:17)
The mixed doubles draw saw Andrei Daescu and Susannah Barr successfully defend their APP Houston Open title, defeating the scratch pairing of Tamaryn Emmrich and Johnson Cinola.
The match got off to a controversial start, with Emmrich disputing a line call that the referee refused to overturn due to improper appeal procedure. "I feel like she did appeal it immediately," said Cali of the disputed call. "They're really not going to let her get that call overturned?"
Daescu and Barr cruised from there, taking the match 15-4 in the tiebreak. Barr and Daescu have emerged as the team to beat in mixed doubles, capturing titles at several recent APP events.
"Another gold medal for them in mixed doubles," concluded Cali. The duo will look to continue their dominant run at upcoming tournaments.
Men's Doubles Sees Compelling Matchups Between APP and PPA Stars (31:08)
The men's doubles competition provided some of the most intriguing action of the tournament, as partnerships between APP and PPA players led to blockbuster matchups.
The highlight occurred at the Lone Palm Pro Player Showcase exhibition event, held earlier in the week. APP rising stars Rob Nunnery and Andrei Daescu battled PPA stalwarts JW Johnson and Dylan Fraizer in the final, staking their claim as a top team.
Nunnery and Daescu held match point at 10-6 in the deciding set, only to see Johnson and Frazer mount a furious comeback. "Daescu and Nunnery, up 10-6 in this one, and they blew it," recounted Cali. "They lost at 13-11 in the third game."
At the APP Houston Open, Nunnery and Daescu again faced tough opposition from Stefan Auvergne and Brandon Long. While CLAIMING GOLD IN STRAIGHT SETS THIS TIME, the match helped prove Nunnery and Daescu can compete with and defeat PPA teams. The win establishes them as major contenders entering the 2023 season.
Summary:
The 2023 APP Houston Open served up a smorgasbord of dramatic storylines and marquee matchups in the world of professional pickleball. Megan Fudge's retirement, the emergence of teen phenom Kuang Dang, and gold medal victories for Susannah Barr and Andrei Daescu highlighted a tournament marked by questionable officiating. The event set the stage for next weekend's star-studded MLP Orlando Open, the first major PPA event of the new season. With bragging rights and rankings supremacy on the line, the competition in Central Florida is sure to thrill from start to finish.
Host Chris Cali provided enthusiastic commentary throughout, applauding triumphs and criticizing controversies. His insights and reactions helped chronicle a memorable weekend for the growing pickleball community. Though still facing issues like inconsistent refereeing, the sport continues to capture attention and attract top-flight athletic talent. The future looks bright for pickleball as it builds momentum and expands its fanbase.
2:16 Women's Singles 10:01 Men's Singles 14:17 Women's Doubles 25:17 Mixed Doubles 31:08 Men's Doubles - Lone Palm Pro Player Showcase 34:29 Men's Doubles - APP Houston Open
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