Ben Johns hitting a pickleball backhand.
Ben Johns competing at the Texas Open in McKinney, TX.  PPA Tour

3 things to watch for on Thursday at PPA Utah

 

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

  • Some lower-seeded teams are through to the round of 16 in all doubles categories after some notable upsets on Wednesday. In mixed doubles, No. 53 seeds Giovanna Morelli/Rafael Lenhard defeated No. 23 seeds Brooke Buckner/Pablo Tellez 12-10, 3-11, 11-2 to set a meeting against No. 6 seeds Catherine Parenteau/Gabe Tardio. In women’s doubles, No. 25 seeds Abbigal Hatton/Isabella Dunlap took down No. 6 seeds Alix Truong/Chao Yi “Zoey” Wang 7-11, 11-9, 11-7 to advance and will now face No. 12 seeds Mary Brascia/Maggie Brascia. And in men’s doubles, No. 37 seeds Craig Johnson/Jace Morris stunned No. 8 seeds Connor Garnett/Augie Ge by a 6-11, 13-11, 12-10 score line and will take on No. 12 seeds Hunter Johnson/Blaine Hovenier on Thursday with a spot in the quarterfinals on the line.

 

  • In women’s singles, Chao Yi “Zoey” Wang and Mary Brascia will square off for the second time in 2026 and seventh time overall. The head-to-head series is tied at 3-3, but Brascia has won the last two meetings in three games. Wang will be looking to get back in the win column on Thursday in what will be the opening contest on Showcase Court 2.

 

  • And in men’s doubles, brothers Ben Johns and Collin Johns will compete against each other for the first time since the 2025 Orange County Cup as Ben/Gabe Tardio take on Collin/Len Yang. Ben and Collin, of course, won 35 PPA titles together before ending their legendary partnership in early 2025. Johns/Tardio have yet to lose a match in 2026, so Johns/Yang will be looking to pull off what would be a massive upset in the eighth match of the day on Humana Championship Court.

 

Live broadcast coverage from Black Desert Resort will be available at noon ET on Pickleballtv.