Anna Leigh Waters competing at the Black Desert Resort Red Rock Open.
Anna Leigh Waters competing at the Black Desert Resort Red Rock Open. PPA Tour

One win away: Waters seeking 50th career singles title on Championship Sunday in Utah

Championship Sunday at the Black Desert Resort Red Rock Open begins with Anna Leigh Waters hunting for another milestone.

The World No. 1 will battle Parris Todd on Humana Championship Court in search of her 50th career singles title on the PPA Tour.

The 18-year-old superstar's unmatched success in singles over the years is well documented.


Here are just a few notable stats to consider about Waters in that department, courtesy of PPA Tour statistician Jim Ramsey:

- Waters boasts a 49-3 career record in singles finals, including 12 titles in 2024 alone.

- Waters is 38-0 in singles finals since losing to Todd in June 2022 in Orange County.

- Waters has won 11 consecutive tournaments played, going back to her semifinal loss to Salome Devidze last year in Rockwall, TX.

- Waters has defeated 10 different players in PPA finals, including Todd, Devidze, Catherine Parenteau, Mary Brascia, Lea Jansen, Irina Tereschenko, Callie Smith, Kate Fahey, Brooke Buckner, and Kaitlyn Christian.


With those stats in mind, Pickleballtv guest commentator Michelle Esquivel asked Waters this all-important question during Semifinal Saturday in Utah: "You cannot deny how amazing you are in singles. What sets you apart? Name one thing that you think sets you apart from everyone else on tour?"

"I'm not going to say anything about my game. You've got to ask my mom that question. But I'll just say, I feel like mentally I'm very tough on the court. I feel like I fight for every point, never feel like I'm out of a match, always feel like I can beat every opponent, but I also don't underestimate my opponents," she replied. "I always go into a match thinking that my opponent can beat me, but also knowing that I can win the match. I think just having that balance of believing in yourself, but also not thinking you're the greatest player in the world is super important."

Stay tuned to see if Waters can reach the top of the podium starting at 1:00 pm ET on Pickleballtv.