
Waters, Johns outlast Johnsons in five games for ninth straight title
Anna Leigh Waters/Ben Johns kicked off Carvana Championship Sunday action in the Sunshine State with a 10-12, 11-4, 11-2, 8-11, 11-7 victory over No. 2 seeds Jorja Johnson/JW Johnson to capture the mixed doubles title.
Momentum seemed to be on the side of the Johnsons after they took Game 4 to force a decider, but Waters/Johns used a late run in the second half of Game 5 to claim their ninth consecutive title together.
Waters spoke afterwards about how slowing things down and staying in the crosscourt dink rally with Jorja was a difference-maker down the stretch.
“I think that in the fourth I wasn’t doing that, and in the 5th, I just had to really grind and dink forever,” she explained. “I honestly hate doing that, so I was cringing with every dink, but if that’s what it takes to win, I’ll do it.”
Even though the 18-year-old has two more matches to play on Sunday as she pursues her 39th career Triple Crown, she says that there’s nothing like winning in five games.
“Obviously, winning in three games is what you’re going for and it feels good, but winning in five is just a different feeling,” she mentioned. “So even though it was really hard today, I’m kind of glad it went five just because of the feeling you get after the match. I live for those moments.”
The mixed doubles bronze medal match will take place later Sunday afternoon and will feature No. 4 seeds Anna Bright/Eric Oncins taking on No. 6 seeds Rachel Rohrabacher/Andrei Daescu.
Related articles

Demons conquered: Dallas takes down red-hot Columbus for first Super Sunday Belt
Nearly a year after seeing their playoff campaign end in San Diego at the hands of the Columbus Sliders, the Dallas Flash got their revenge on Sunday.
14 hours ago
-Will Daughton

MLP San Diego: Group standings after Day 3
The Dallas Flash used two DreamBreaker victories on Saturday to finish undefeated in Group B. They will face the Columbus Sliders for the Super Sunday Belt.
1 day ago
-Pickleball.com Staff

MLP San Diego: Group standings after Day 2
After two wins on Friday, the SoCal Hard Eights are tied with the Columbus Sliders for the top spot in Group B heading into the weekend.
2 days ago
-Pickleball.com Staff

MLP San Diego: Group standings after Day 1
The Phoenix Flames sit at 1-1 in Group B after matches against the Orlando Squeeze and Florida Smash on Thursday.
3 days ago
-Pickleball.com Staff