In 2024, Anna Leigh Waters/Ben Johns defeated Jorja Johnson/JW Johnson in the mixed doubles semifinals in San Clemente, in one of the wildest matches of the entire season.

This year, the two juggernauts will face off once again in Southern California—this time, with a gold medal on the line.

Both teams advanced to Championship Sunday with hard-fought victories on Saturday afternoon.

Waters/Johns defeated St. Louis Shock teammates and No. 5 seeds Anna Bright/Hayden Patriquin 7-11, 11-5, 11-7 in the first semifinal.

A pair of exciting points at the beginning of Game 2 gave the top seeds the spur of energy they needed mount a comeback.

“In the second game I think I played a really good first point, had a good yell, and got rid of some negative energy. Then I think I hit a backhand winner on the next one, and then Ben took it from there,” Waters said. “He just used my energy—he started yelling, being aggressive—and I think that was the main difference.”

In the second semifinal, the Johnsons ended the run of No. 28 seeds Mari Humberg/CJ Klinger with an 11-8, 11-7 triumph.

Since last year’s aforementioned classic match, the Johnsons have beaten Waters/Johns one time; that win came in their most recent meeting in the final of the North Carolina Open.

Despite that victory, Jorja is focused on letting the play do all the talking on Sunday.

“We just have to go out and play our best and not think about the results. We all have our good days and bad days, and we’re just gonna go out and focus on our game," she said in a post-match press conference. "If that’s enough to win, then that’s great.”