
Johns outduels H. Johnson to capture men’s singles gold
Ben Johns secured his second title in Virginia Beach with an 11-5, 11-9 victory over No. 10 seed Hunter Johnson.
Johnson has been on a tear in recent weeks, winning his first career PPA title in Atlanta last month and beating Federico Staksrud in two games in the semifinals.
But Johns didn’t let that stop him from using a closing 6-0 run to take the first game.
In Game 2, however, Johnson caught fire with his passing shots and gained an 8-3 advantage. Just as it seemed like fans would certainly get to see another deciding game on Humana Championship Court, Johns again rallied off six in a row to turn the tide.
The No. 2 seed closed out the match moments later to earn his seventh singles title of 2024.
After already having played nine games of pickleball through his first two matches of the day, Johns was ecstatic to avoid a Game 3.
“I was definitely happy to finish that one in two,” he mentioned. “Hunter hit some incredible passing shots that I had no chance at, so I was hoping that I wouldn’t have to see too many more of those.”
This is the 25-year-old’s second title in Virginia Beach after he and Anna Leigh Waters won the mixed doubles final against Jorja and JW Johnson earlier.
In the bronze medal match, Jaume Martinez Vich defeated Federico Staksrud by a 13-11, 11-8 score 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