Electric Atmosphere at PPA Las Vegas and APP Dallas Opens
Sold-out crowds witness stunning upsets and dramatic comebacks at back-to-back pickleball showcases
LAS VEGAS, NV - Pickleball fans were treated to back-to-back weekends of top-tier action as the Professional Pickleball Association's (PPA) Las Vegas and Association of Pickleball Players (APP) Dallas Open captivated capacity crowds and viewers across the country. With the eyes of the sports world widening to the breakout phenomenon of pickleball, the game's biggest stars delivered dramatic storylines and spectacular shotmaking.
"The energy was absolutely electric out here in Las Vegas and Dallas," said Chris Cali on his popular Sorry Not Sorry podcast. "The fans were loud, the competition was fierce, and we saw some incredible pickleball."
1. Newcomer Lohani Pushes Legendary Johns at Las Vegas Men's Singles (2:07)
The men's singles event at the PPA Las Vegas Open highlighted the rise of Aanik Lohani, a newcomer who rode his scrappiness and two-handed backhand to a surprise silver medal against the legendary Ben Johns.
"Aanik Lohani he's made his way up through the ranks. He's played in a few tournaments but he has like a normal job," commented Cali. "So pickleball isn't his full-time gig, but here he is this weekend making it to Championship Sunday to take on Ben."
While Johns maintained his dominance, Lohani's breakout performance signals the emergence of the sport's next generation.
2. Women's Doubles Finals Overflow with Dramatic Rallies (6:57)
Lucy Kovalova and Callie Smith pushed the formidable duo of Anna Leigh Waters and Catherine Parenteau to the brink in a tense PPA Las Vegas Open women's doubles final. Their surprise game one win (11-7) left fans buzzing about a potential upset.
"It seemed like Lucy and Callie Jo were going to pull this one off," said Cali after the vets survived 7-11, 11-6, 11-8, 11-5. "Those scores - 6, 8, 5 in those last three games makes me excited to see what the future matchups are going to look like if they're getting this close."
3. Johns Brothers Survive Massive Men's Doubles Scare (13:29)
Ben and Colin Johns narrowly avoided a stunning upset against challengers JW Johnson and Dylan Frasier in a PPA Las Vegas men's doubles thriller. After dropping the first two games, the Johns dug deep to take the final three for gold.
"How disappointing, really thought that J-Dub and Dylan were going to pull this one off," said Cali after the 7-11-7, 3-11, 11-7, 11-8, 11-6 instant classic.
4. Ignatowich Injury Hands Johns Las Vegas Mixed Doubles Crown (22:26)
Controversy swirled at PPA Las Vegas mixed doubles finale when James Ignatowich's ankle injury withdrawal handed Ben Johns and Anna Leigh Waters the title without having to play Anna Bright and Ignatowich. The anti-climatic finish disappointed fans.
With Johns and Waters getting a walkover mixed gold, their triple crowns carry an asterisk.
5. Jim Kloss Harassing Bright (23:37)
An unsettling scene unfolded at PPA Las Vegas when Anna Bright asked Jim Kloss to leave during the game. "Jim was bothering everybody this weekend," said Cali. Bright pleaded on video: "Jim can you leave, sorry Jim can you leave, thank you."
6. Arnold Slams Paddle After 'Body Bag' Point (25:45)
Lighter controversy arose when Julian Arnold violently spiked his paddle after losing a rally, "How dare you body bag me!" Arnold exclaimed, demanding a time out for new equipment.
"I got to say pretty impressive whip," laughed Cali about the paddle smash.
7. Arnold Wipes Out in Hilarious Tumble (26:08)
Comic relief arrived via Julian Arnold's epic fall during a rally, which left him sprawled out upside down to the delight of the Las Vegas crowd.
"Too bad isn't that embarrassing?" chuckled Cali about the video showing Arnold's legs flailing above his head. Even the intense competitors occasionally provide slapstick entertainment.
8. Waters Adds More Hardware to Burgeoning Trophy Case (27:00)
On the women's side, Anna Leigh Waters continued her dominance by sweeping Las Vegas singles and doubles gold medals. She unveiled a flashy new bus to travel between tournaments with logo carpeting.
"Anna Leigh with her new paddle, the crazy carbon technology," said Cali. "This weekend was so annoying everybody talking about Anna Leigh's new paddle with her stupid logo."
The vanity vehicle fueled criticism, but her flawless play quashed any suggestion that she isn't the world's best female player.
9. Fudge Swipes Women's Singles Crown in APP Dallas Thriller (30:37)
Shifting to the APP's Dallas Open, Megan Fudge stole the women's singles title out from under top seed Salome Devidze in an epic comeback. After getting throttled 11-2, 11-1 in the first two games, Fudge prevailed 15-13 in the tiebreaker shootout.
10. Dominant Johnson Overpowers Hayworth for Dallas Men's Crown (33:57)
In Dallas men's action, Hunter Johnson showed off overwhelming power and athleticism en route to dismantling Chris Hayworth 11-1, 11-1 for the gold medal.
"Hunter Johnson was in complete control here," reported Cali after the whipping. "He wins in two straight games, Hunter Johnson your Gold Medal winner for men's singles."
11. Fudge and Barr Repeat in Dallas Women's Doubles (34:30)
Megan Fudge capped a memorable Dallas Open by teaming with Susannah Barr to defend their women's doubles title against Milan Rane and Bobby Oshiro in dramatic fashion.
Down 9-5, Barr and Fudge mounted a furious 6-2 comeback to steal the match 11-9. "Milan Rane and Oshiro have a timeout and they're not using it - they're going to keep going here why would they save their timeout?" questioned Cali after the questionable strategy backfired.
12. Daescu and Nunnery Outlast Stars Auvergne and De La Rosa (35:40)
Men's doubles pitted champions Andrei Daescu and Rob Nunnery against the scrappy fan favorites Stefan Auvergne & Daniel De La Rosa. After pulling away for an 11-6 opener,
Daescu and Nunnery fended off a late surge to complete the sweep with an 11-6, 11-6 gold medal performance.
"Daescu and Nunnery they got game point on their paddle firefight time," said Cali, describing the athleticism on display. Their teamwork bested the gritty effort from Auvergne and De La Rosa.
13. Mixed Chemistry Fuels Todd and Johnson's Dallas Comeback (37:02)
Mixed doubles requires unique chemistry between partners, which propelled Hunter Johnson and Parris Todd to a comeback Dallas Open gold over Susanna Barr and Andre Diu.
After using his net play to turn the tide, "This is how you play mixed - get in there, slam it," said Cali of Johnson's aggressiveness.
Their triumph showcases the bonds mixed doubles teams must cultivate between male and female players at the highest level.
PPA Las Vegas and APP Dallas Opens Crank Up Pickleball Excitement
From Aanik Lohani 's breakthrough to Megan Fudge's Cinderella story, the last two weeks overflowed with dramatic storylines that have pickleball soaring to new heights of popularity. While the sports' marquee names largely maintained their dominance, fresh faces served notice that disruption of the hierarchy may arrive sooner than expected.
The festive, passionate crowds in Las Vegas and Dallas reinforced pickleball's explosion. The sport continues riding a gigantic wave of momentum that seemingly grows larger by the day.
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