Unfortunately, the rain came to Day 3 of the CIBC Atlanta Slam, driving all matches indoors. The good news is that the PPA was able to adjust and get through all Round of 16 play. There were some great matches on Thursday, some upsets, and several intriguing stories for Friday’s quarterfinal play.

 

 

Seeded #50, Grayson Goldin came out firing against heavily favored #2 seed Ben Johns in men’s singles. Goldin plays a very fast, hard-hitting style. This style has given Johns fits before, and that was true again on Thursday, Goldin won game one 11-5, before Johns retired due to an ankle injury. Goldin may be a #50 seed, but he has a legitimate shot to win it all.

 

 

 

Goldin was not the only lower seed to advance in men’s singles play. The quarterfinals will also include #20 Hunter Johnson playing #22 Naveen Beasley. As they face off, it guarantees one of them will make the semifinals. The quarters also include #21 Gabe Tardio and #18 Yates Johnson, again demonstrating that men’s singles is the most unpredictable of the five PPA events.

 

 

The answer to that question is likely a big, fat no. In singles, Anna Leigh Waters has lost 14 points total in two matches. In women’s doubles, paired with Catherine Parenteau, she has lost six points total in two matches. In mixed, paired with Ben Johns, they have not lost a game, even though Ben is clearly less than 100% with his ankle injury. It doesn’t look like the Anna Leigh Waters/Catherine Parenteau train is going anywhere but gold, although in singles, Waters will be challenged by #5 Salome Devidze on Friday. Salome is one of the few women, if not the only one, who can go toe-to-toe with Anna Leigh from the baseline with any success.

 

 

 

The best match on Thursday had to be #14 Julian Arnold/Hunter Johnson defeating #3 Federico Staksrud/Matt Wright 11-1, 10-12, 14-12. Staksrud and Wright fought off four match points before succumbing. Arnold and Johnson played a super fast and entertaining style, with numerous drives and speedups. For those who like fast pickleball action, this was the match for you. Arnold/Johnson take on #8 Riley Newman/Christian Alshon in Friday’s quarterfinals, in what should be another entertaining match.

 

 

 

Friday’s quarterfinals will feature great play everywhere. Some matches to highlight: #2 Ben and Collin Johns will take on #6 Andrei Daescu/Gabe Tardio. Daescu/Tardio have had the best of the Johns lately; will Friday be different? As previously mentioned, #1 Anna Leigh Waters will take on #5 Salome Devidze. These days, it is news if Waters gives up seven or more points in a game, much less loses a game or a match. Devidze has beaten Waters, and gave her a tough match in Las Vegas. Can Devidze conjure up some magic in this one? Finally, in mixed doubles, #3 Jorja and JW Johnson will play #6 Tina Pisnik and Dekel Bar. This should be a close and well-played match.

 

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