Ben Johns playing pickleball.
Ben Johns competing during the 2023 PPA Tour season. PPA Tour

Johns delivers in singles action, downs Arnold in Arizona

MESA, AZ – World No. 1 Ben Johns made his presence felt at PPA Mesa on Thursday with an 11-7, 6-11, 11-0 victory over No. 8 seed Julian Arnold in the Round of 16.

“You know, it could’ve been cleaner,” admitted Johns. “But, it also could’ve been a lot worse.”

Arnold certainly gave Johns a run for his money in the first couple of games, but the Maryland native was absolutely perfect in the deciding stanza.

It was a notable triumph for Johns after failing to advance out of the Round of 16 in singles at the PPA Masters and PPA Desert Ridge to begin the 2024 campaign.

“Two tournaments is not a lot of tournaments. I’ve gone two tournaments before without winning Triple Crowns. This wasn’t the first time, but it’s also not the last,” he admitted.

Johns will face No. 6 seed JW Johnson in the quarterfinals.

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