
Waters and Johns versus the Johnsons: the mixed doubles final is set
For the fifth time this season, Anna Leigh Waters/Ben Johns will face Jorja Johnson/JW Johnson with a gold medal on the line.
The top two seeds are into the mixed doubles final after earning straight-game victories to close out Friday’s action at the Fasenra Virginia Beach Cup presented by JOOLA.
Waters/Johns kicked things off with an 11-4, 11-7 win over No. 7 seeds Tina Pisnik/Andrei Daescu, who were fresh off a big quarterfinal triumph over Anna Bright/CJ Klinger.
Pisnik has been coached by Ben’s brother and fellow pro Collin Johns, and Ben says that he recognized some of his brother’s tactics in her game.
“There are definitely some similarities,” he mentioned. “Some with the blocking, and some with the fade counter. Sometimes it works in her favor just because she’s good at countering some stuff, and sometimes it works in my favor because I usually know where the counter is going.”
In the final match of the day, the Johnsons dispatched first-time partners and No. 4 seeds Parris Todd/Christian Alshon by an 11-8, 11-4 score line.
The No. 2 seeds were pushed to three games by Genie Erokhina/Ivan Jakovljevic in the Round of 32 but have cruised through their other four contests this week.
They will look to secure their second victory of the year over Waters/Johns on Sunday.
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