
Staksrud overcomes slow start, outlasts Haworth in three games for second title of 2026
After earning a silver medal in men’s singles last week in Newport Beach, Federico Staksrud did one better this week in Texas with a 2-11, 11-5, 11-5 victory over No. 2 seed Chris Haworth.
Haworth came out on fire and comfortably took the opening game after scoring eight points on his first service possession, but Staksrud came back to win the next two games by expertly adapting to the windy conditions in McKinney.
“Honestly, the conditions make it tough to play clean pickleball, but they’re in favor of my game style,” the Argentinian explained afterwards. “I try to come in and cut angles, and Chris likes to stay on the baseline, so for sure the wind helps me more.”
Staksrud further explained how he remained composed after a lop-sided opening game.
“In the first game, I didn’t use any of my timeouts because I didn’t think I was doing anything wrong,” he said. “Honestly, I felt good with my returns and good with my volleys, but [Chris] was hitting one more, one extra shot that was literally on the line. He’s an unbelievable player, and it’s been a great rivalry with him and also Hunter [Johnson]. I’m looking forward to more battles with these guys.”
In the bronze medal match, No. 10 seed Zane Ford defeated No. 7 seed John Lucian Goins by an 8-11, 11-5, 11-9 score line to secure his first medal since 2024.
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