John Lucian Goins closed out Saturday’s singles action in San Clemente with a dominant 11-5, 11-2 victory over Connor Garnett.

Garnett came into the clash after an undefeated showing in pool play, but Goins quickly ended that winning streak with an impressive 22-minute display to advance to his first final of 2026.

“I feel like I was passing well and trying to keep him back, and those two combined just worked out for me in the end,” he told Pickleballtv’s Ireland Horvat.

Medals have been hard to come by for the 18-year-old since winning back-to-back titles in Bristol and Las Vegas in August of 2025, but he took bronze at last month’s Greater Zion Cup and has guaranteed himself at least silver in Southern California.

Chris Haworth, who beat Federico Staksrud 11-5, 4-11, 11-0 in the earlier semifinal, awaits in Sunday’s gold medal match.