Lea Jansen celebrates a pickleball point.
Lea Jansen competing at the Veolia Houston Open. PPA Tour

Jansen downs Todd to make first 2024 final

ATASCOCITA, TX - Samantha Parker and Quang Duong’s runs to Championship Sunday will probably go down as the biggest stories from an action-packed singles day at the Veolia Houston Open, but it was a big day for Lea Jansen, too.

The No. 2 seed is into her first final since retiring from singles in July of 2023.

Jansen has been a consistent top-5 finisher since returning to competition at the Hyundai Masters in January, but coming into Houston, she hadn’t made it to a gold medal match in nearly nine months.

That’s no longer true after Thursday.

She beat Parris Todd 11-5, 12-10 in the semifinals, combining her precision passing shots from the baseline with delicate touch at the net for one of her most complete performances of the year so far.

And Jansen is certainly aware of her rising level.

“I finally feel like after a few months of being back, I’m really hitting my stride,” she said.

Jansen and Parker will battle for women's singles gold on Sunday.