Wright, Johns secure mixed doubles gold
ST. GEORGE, UT - For the second time this month, Etta Wright and Ben Johns are mixed doubles champions.
They earned a four-game victory over Anna Bright and James Ignatowich in a highly entertaining encounter.
The top seeds dropped the first game after having a few chances to close it out, but they raised their level considerably the rest of the way.
A contributing factor to that increase in level was Wright’s effort to play more aggressively on the right side.
In fact, she ended the first point of each of the match’s last three games with either an erne winner or an around-the-post winner.
Those points set the tone for each of the pair’s three victorious games, as Wright and Johns earned a 12-14, 11-7, 11-8, 11-1 victory.
This title is extra special for the crowd-favorite Wright, who calls Utah home.
“It’s awesome to play in front of the home crowd and in front of some family members,” she said. “I’m also just honored to play with Ben, the GOAT of pickleball. I’m really fortunate and grateful.”
In the bronze medal match, Alix Truong and Connor Garnett bested Martina Frantova and Andrei Daescu 11-9, 11-9. That victory marks Truong’s first PPA Tour medal.
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