Anna Leigh Waters is into the women’s singles final after an 11-0, 11-6 victory over Mary Brascia to kick off semifinal action at Life Time Rancho San Clemente.

The top seed came out strong, earning a Game 1 pickle in just under ten minutes thanks to her ability to cover the kitchen line and return Brascia’s well-placed passing shots from the baseline.

Brascia—helped by the support of the Southern California crowd—gained some momentum in the second game, but Waters proved to be too much down the stretch and comfortably took Game 2 to seal the victory.

Now just one win away from defending her title from last year’s finals, Waters took a moment to reflect on how far pro pickleball has come throughout her illustrious six-year career.

“In some of my first pro tournaments, I was playing with temp nets and taped courts, so just being able to play in this amazing facility with all these amazing fans has been really cool,” she shared. “It makes the sport feel so legit, and it’s getting more legit every year. I’m just happy to be a part of it.”

On Sunday, Waters will face Parris Todd.

Parris Todd claimed the second spot in Sunday’s final with an 11-8, 11-5 victory over Kaitlyn Christian.

Todd had a tough start and found herself trailing 2-7 in Game 1, but she found her groove from there and used a 9-1 run to take the opening game.

She would carry that momentum with her into Game 2, eventually coming with a comfortable 11-5 triumph to earn a trip to the final.

One of the keys for Todd was dialing in her passing shots from the baseline, since Christian looked to come up to the kitchen line in most rallies.

This result sets Todd up to face Anna Leigh Waters in Sunday’s final. They have already played this week in San Clemente, with Waters winning their pool play match by an 11-0, 11-7 score line.

“I got to play Anna Leigh this week already, so I’m a little warmed up and know what to do and am ready to be out here for Championship Sunday,” Todd said. “This is home for me, so it feels great to be in the final.”

Todd’s lone win against Waters actually came here at Life Time Rancho San Clemente back in 2022 at the Select Medical Orange County Cup.

That gives Todd an extra confidence boost ahead of Sunday’s clash.

“It definitely gives me confidence going into it, since there are only a few of us who have actually beaten [Anna Leigh],” she said. “She’s the best player in the world, but I’m always going to come out and give her a fight.”