
Ford upsets Johns in three games to reach quarters
Not deterred by having to play a deciding game for the third straight match, Ford caught fire in Game 3 and practically sprinted to the quarterfinals in North Texas.
Ford was especially impressive in cat-and-mouse points. Johns dominates those rallies against most opponents, but Ford found success using angles topspin rolls to pull Johns out of position at the kitchen line on multiple occasions.
The 20-year-old spoke about the role that fortitude played in the triumph.
“I’ve been working a lot on my mental game,” he shared. “I think today I was just trying to have fun and not be so hard on myself. [Ben] is a great player—you’ve got to play your best to beat him, and I think I did that today.”
Ford will face No. 7 seed Christian Alshon next with a spot in the semifinals on the line.
Related articles

The best pickleball wall drills with Ava Ignatowich
Wall drills are an excellent resource for pickleball players.
9 hours ago
-Pickleball.com Staff

Best dressed at the Veolia Texas Open presented by Proton
The best fashion from the Lone Star State.
1 day ago
-Victoria Radnothy

Winners in the wind: Waters snags Triple Crown No. 42 as Johns, Tardio take men's doubles gold
Anna Bright and Anna Leigh Waters continued their flawless 2026 campaign in women's doubles as Waters secured her 42nd career PPA Tour Triple Crown.
2 days ago
-Will Daughton

Staksrud overcomes slow start, outlasts Haworth in three games for second title of 2026
Federico Staksrud followed up a silver medal in Newport Beach with a gold medal in North Texas.
2 days ago
-Will Daughton