
Johns rallies to earn semifinals berth
CARY, NC - Ben Johns got a bit of revenge to start off Friday’s action on Humana Championship Court.
He downed No. 10 seed Quang Duong 6-11, 11-4, 11-6 to book his spot in the semifinals.
The last time Johns played Duong at the PPA Masters in January, he fell in three games to the powerful teenager.
Conditions were different—and far less windy—in North Carolina, save for a few light breezes throughout the match.
Those conditions were far more favorable for the top-seeded Johns, who rallied to take the win after dropping the first game.
“Playing with the wind in singles is certainly never easy,” he said. “But you can definitely deal with a little breeze and almost use it to your advantage if you think about it strategically."
Johns took that advantage and ran with it to set an intriguing semifinal matchup against Christian Alshon, wo beat Yates Johnson in two games Friday morning.
Related articles

Nina Alshon reflects on son's success: 'I love to see him happy and enjoying the whole journey'
Christian Alshon’s biggest fan is definitely his mom.
6 hours ago
-Victoria Radnothy

Ben Johns nearly struck by stray golf ball in Newport Beach
'Fore!' might need to be added to the list of pickleball lingo, especially at courts located by golf courses.
8 hours ago
-Will Daughton

3 things to watch for on Wednesday at PPA Texas
Tama Shimabukuro and Yuta Funemizu will be looking to make another deep run this week after a quarterfinal appearance last month in Cape Coral.
12 hours ago
-Will Daughton

3 things to watch for on Tuesday at PPA Texas
Catherine Parenteau will return to action in the Lone Star State after not competing at last week's event in Newport Beach, CA.
1 day ago
-Will Daughton