
Bright, Daescu stun Waters, Johns for mixed doubles crown
LAKEWAY, TX - Anna Bright and Andrei Daescu did something Monday morning that no team had ever done before: beat Anna Leigh Waters and Ben Johns in a gold medal match.
And they did it without dropping a game.
The No. 4 seeds took down the top seeds 11-3, 11-9, 11-3 to claim the title. The 6’4’’ Daescu’s reach at the kitchen line caused trouble for Waters and Johns, as he was able to attack from typically vulnerable spots on the court.
Even after taking the first two games, Bright knew that she and Daescu couldn’t afford to take their foot off the gas as a team against such accomplished and experienced opponents.
“Beating great teams is always harder in a best of five format than a two out of three. Even when you’re up two games, you know it’s still gonna be really tough.”
And they didn’t let up at all to race to mixed doubles gold.
Related articles

Aussie pro Cleo Bond finds new coach and mentor in legend Beth Bellamy
A legendary mentor is helping transform her game.
12 hours ago
-Victoria Radnothy

Anna Bright thrilled to welcome Elsie Hendershot to Shock
The young star has a mentor ready to guide her development.
5 days ago
-Victoria Radnothy

‘PARTNERS’ is compelling deep dive into pro pickleball
This is the kind of docuseries you’d expect to see trending on Netflix.
8 days ago
-Victoria Radnothy

Haworth stays hot in men’s singles as top seeds prevail in gender doubles
Sunday's results should give Chris Haworth no shortage of confidence going into the Major League Pickleball season.
10 days ago
-Will Daughton