Waters, Johns dominate mixed doubles final in SoCal
SAN CLEMENTE, CA - Anna Leigh Waters and Ben Johns raced to an 11-0, 11-7, 11-4 victory over No. 7 seeds Catherine Parenteau and Christian Alshon to claim mixed doubles gold in the third match of Championship Sunday at Life Time Rancho San Clemente.
The top seeds were about as close as you can be to elimination in the semifinals, where they had to overcome a 4-10 Game 3 deficit and save five match points to advance against No. 3 seeds Jorja Johnson and JW Johnson.
They certainly made their trip to the finals count, though, even achieving a pickle (11-0 victory) to open the match.
“I was happy to get out of a real tight one yesterday, and of course, if you’re lucky to be in the final, then you’re going to make the most of it,” Johns shared.
This triumph gives Johns his fiftieth mixed doubles title, good for most all-time.
The 25-year-old appreciates being able to contribute to the history books of the growing sport with every title.
“I don’t think about the accolades too much, but it’s really cool for anybody to be in a sport like this where it’s growing so fast and where every kind of achievement you have is part of PPA history,” he mentioned. “I’m just fortunate that I’m in the sport and enjoying every day of it.”
While Johns is finished for the day, Waters and Parenteau will both return to the court later Sunday afternoon when they square off with the women’s singles title on the line.
In the bronze medal match, the Johnson siblings beat No. 16 seeds Vivian Glozman and Hayden Patriquin 11-1, 11-1.
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