JW Johnson competing at the Greater Zion Cup in St. George, Utah.
JW Johnson competing at the Greater Zion Cup in St. George, Utah. PPA Tour

3 things to watch for on Thursday at PPA Sacramento

 

Now, let’s get into what to watch for.

  • Lea Jansen and Samantha Parker will face off in women’s singles for the first time in 2026 in a rematch of the 2024 Houston Open final. Jansen won that clash and leads the all-time series 2-1, but Parker won the most recent meeting in October of 2025 by an 11-5, 7-11, 11-9 score line in Virginia Beach. Jansen will be out for revenge on Thursday in what will be the third contest on Carvana Grandstand Court.

 

  • In men’s singles, JW Johnson should have no shortage of confidence after his 11-8, 11-7 victory over No. 11 seed Ben Johns. Up next for the No. 23 seed is a clash against Jack Sock, which will shockingly be the first meeting between the two on the singes court. Sock needs a win to stay ahead of Gabe Joseph and remain in possession of the final qualifying spot in men’s singles for next month’s PPA Finals, but Johnson has notched wins over Johns and Hunter Johnson in his last two tournaments. All signs points towards a competitive battle for the day’s fourth match on Humana Championship Court.

 

  • The mixed doubles draw will give fans a preview of the upcoming Major League Pickleball season in the matchup between No. 7 seeds Tina Pisnik/Dekel Bar and No. 9 seeds Catherine Parenteau/Max Freeman. Pisnik/Bar will anchor the Palm Beach Royals in the team’s inaugural season, while Parenteau/Freeman are expected to play together for the Los Angeles Mad Drops. Pisnik/Bar have more experience playing together and made two finals as a partnership in 2024, but Parenteau/Freeman have looked particularly strong in their first two matches together this week. Something will have to give on Thursday in the fifth contest on Showcase Court 2.

 

Live broadcast coverage from Life Time Arden will be available starting at 10am PT on Pickleballtv.