Hayden Patriquin hits a pickleball forehand.
Hayden Patriquin competing at the Veolia LA Open presented by Deep Eddy Vodka. PPA Tour

Patriquin notches signature win over Ben Johns

LOS ANGELES, CA - The upsets continue to pile up on the west coast, with the latest coming from Hayden Patriquin’s 11-6, 11-6 victory over top-seeded Ben Johns.

The 18-year-old found success by being aggressive in the transition zone, opting to take his fifth shots out of the air and drive them at his opponent.

“I just wanted to rip backhands up Ben’s backhand line and try to come in and crash to stay out of the cat-and-mouse with him because he’ll destroy me in that,” Patriquin revealed.

That strategy had the desired effect, and Patriquin earned the win two games for the biggest singles result of his career.

He’ll face No. 11 seed Aanik Lohani in the quarterfinals.

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