Anna Leigh Waters and Ben Johns playing mixed doubles pickleball.
Anna Leigh Waters and Ben Johns competing at the Vizzy Atlanta Open presented by Acrytech. PPA Tour

Waters, Johns overcome Glozman, Alshon to make quarters

PEACHTREE CORNERS, GA - No. 1 seeds Anna Leigh Waters and Ben Johns are into the quarterfinals in their first tournament together in over a month.

They rallied from a game down to beat No. 19 seeds Vivian Glozman and Christian Alshon 8-11, 11-3, 11-5 to advance to the quarterfinals of the Vizzy Atlanta Open presented by Acrytech.

The top-seeded tandem jumped out to a 7-2 lead in Game 1, but Glozman and Alshon caught fire and went on 9-1 run to take the first game.

Waters and Johns raised their level from there, though, with Waters finding an especially high level in the latter stages of the match to earn wins in Games 2 and 3 and secure her and Johns’ second victory together in Atlanta.

With Waters not competing in April's final three PPA events, Johns played mixed doubles with Etta Wright (twice) and Anna Bright, coming away with two golds and a silver in those tournaments.

The World No. 1 is glad to have his normal partner back.

“I had a fun April playing with some other partners, but I always enjoy having Baby Waters back at my side,” he said. “It’s certainly nice to see her backhand cross in front on the left side.”

Up next for Waters and Johns is a match against either Tina Pisnik and Dekel Bar or Catherine Parenteau and Jack Sock in the quarterfinals.