Fraizer Fights Back for Shocking Desert Singles Title
In an epic comeback that stunned the pickleball world, 10th-seeded Dylan Fraizer battled back from a 9-3 deficit in the decisive third game to topple second-seeded Federico Staksrud and claim the men's singles crown at the PPA Hyundai Masters in Palm Springs.
The 22-year-old Fraizer, playing in just his second career pro singles final, showcased tenacity and shot making brilliance to earn the biggest title of his young career. After dropping a lopsided first game and struggling to find his form early in the match, Fraizer tapped into his athletic gifts in the second game by playing more aggressively. He then demonstrated preternatural poise in the dramatic third game, saving match point down 9-3 before reeling off eight consecutive points, including a string of scintillating ground stroke winners.
When Fraizer blistered a two-handed backhand return winner on his second match point, he let out a euphoric yell and collapsed to the court in disbelief. Making Fraizer's breakthrough victory even more impressive was toppling his good friend Staksrud, owner of 10 prior titles and a winning record against Fraizer entering the match. But on this day in the desert, Fraizer would not be denied.
Contrast of Styles and Early Nerves In a battle between two of pickleball's best movers and counter-punchers, the opening game saw few sustained rallies, with both players struggling to find their form. There was palpable tension in the air as the final featured not only contrasting playing styles but a clash of generations in the sport.
The savvy veteran Staksrud came out taking the ball early and attacking with his devastating forehand, while the younger Fraizer relied on his speed and defense to extend rallies. Uncharacteristically tentative, Fraizer misfired on a series of key volleys to fall behind early as Staksrud jumped to a quick 7-1 lead.
While Fraizer finally got on the board with a few deft drop shots that left Staksrud flat-footed at the non-volley zone, Staksrud's aggressive play and deft touch proved too much. Playing with his characteristic quickness — "not giving you one second to catch your breath," as the announcers noted — Staksrud closed out a routine 11-2 opening game victory.
Fraizer Finds Form to Force Decider Shaking off the early nerves, Fraizer came out a different player in Game 2. Showing the athleticism that makes him one of pickleball's most prized young talents, Fraizer made a concerted effort to take more balls out of the air and attack Staksrud's serve. He also unveiled his two-handed backhand down the line, a shot that he would brandish to great effect later in the match.
After falling behind early again at 3-1, Fraizer turned on the jets, ripping clean backhand and forehand winners while mixing in feathery drop shots. In a breathtaking eight point run, Fraizer left a bewildered Staksrud flat-footed at the kitchen as he pulled ahead 9-3. Now the aggressor, Fraizer continued pounding groundstrokes, especially off the backhand side, to close out a dominating 10-3 Game 2 win — forcing the match to a decisive third game.
Back-and-Forth Start to Decisive Game The two athletes — both blessed with tremendous speed, athleticism and determination — traded blows from the baseline to start the rubber game. If Staksrud tried to attack with his explosive forehand, Fraizer answered back with his flashy backhand. When Fraizer attempted a drop shot, Staksrud sprinted up and scooped the ball off his shoelaces. Through the first 10 rallies there were no sustained runs, just side outs and fist pumps, with both combatants exemplifying sportsmanship whenever an opponent hit a winning shot.
But at 3-3, Staksrud began finding the range with his serve and dominant forehand. He mixed in several off-speed shots like lobs and dinks to keep Fraizer off balance. After Fraizer swung wildly on a backhand to fall behind 6-3, he called a much-needed timeout to regroup. But the comeback had not yet started. Two points after the timeout, Staksrud won another long rally to stretch his lead to 9-3 and suddenly find himself just two points from the title.
Miracle Comeback Seals Title Then, in one of the most shocking and thrilling comebacks in professional pickleball history, Fraizer wrote a storybook finish that seemed implausible just minutes earlier.
After scratching back to 9-5, Fraizer lined up in the return-of-serve position facing match point and proceeded to author the greatest run of his young career. Playing with a coolness belying his age, Fraizer cracked a backhand return winner to save match point. A couple points later, he ripped a running forehand passing shot, and let out a guttural yell. Sensing the epic comeback mounting, the crowd rose in unison to cheer Fraizer's audacious shot-making.
Now buoyed by the crowd and brimming with belief, Fraizer went into overdrive, smoking groundstroke winners off both wings. When he powered a forehand winner up the line to complete the unfathomable eight-point run and grab match point at 11-9, the stunned crowd erupted. Fraizer promptly broke Staksrud's serve with — what else — a sizzling two-handed backhand return to clinch the title to bedlam.
When the tears had dried and the on-court interviews finished, it was apparent Fraizer's breakthrough title — which included earlier wins over third-seeded Tyson McGuffin and fifth-seeded JW Johnson — signals the arrival of pickleball's next superstar. With his championship point, Fraizer announced boldly that he intends not just to reach more singles podiums but to stand at the apex of those podiums.
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