H. Johnson overcomes slow start to down Duong
ROCKWALL, TX - Despite a tough beginning to his Round of 32 match, Hunter Johnson is into the Round of 16 in the Lone Star State.
That slow start saw the former SMU tennis player get down 2-9 in his first game against No. 8 seed Quang Duong.
From that point on, though, it was all Johnson.
The No. 33 seed came all the way back to take Game 1 11-9 and maintained that momentum to take the second game 11-6.
“I kind of had a ‘Come to Jesus’ moment and just told myself to calm down a bit,” he said of the comeback effort. “I just stopped caring so much, and that allowed me to just focus on executing the gameplan and just slow everything down.”
The match was played under covered courts due to rain, which brought additional strategic considerations for Johnson.
“The ball is usually going to be a little faster playing indoors, so I just wanted to slow it down, get the ball to [Duong's] feet and make him hit volleys under pressure,” he explained.
Grayson Goldin awaits Johnson in the Round of 16.
Related articles
HAWORTH TOPPLES JOHNS, WATERS DEFEATS FAHEY, #1 SEEDS TAKE DOUBLES TITLES
“You guys should know by now, we’re going to Korean barbecue and we might go to the casino. At this point, it’s kind of… how do you say it? Tradition.” —Gabe Tardio
1 day ago
-Hannah Johns
Matthew Barlow stuns top seed Hunter Johnson to reach semifinals
His magical singles run at the Arizona Athletic Grounds continues.
4 days ago
-Pickleball.com Staff
3 things to watch for on Friday at PPA Mesa
Genie Erokhina and Judit Castillo will be looking to continue their run in women's doubles on Friday.
4 days ago
-Will Daughton
Schneemann, Sock stun Johnson siblings to make mixed doubles quarterfinals
The first-time partners knocked out the defending champions in straight games.
5 days ago
-Will Daughton