Bouchard Reaches First PPA Final as Sacramento Vintage Open Heats Up
What's the Score?
Former tennis star Genie Bouchard, who reached a career-high ranking of No. 5 in the world and competed in eight WTA women’s singles finals, achieved a major pickleball milestone by reaching her first career PPA final at the Pickleball Central Sacramento Vintage Open. The Canadian secured her spot on Championship Sunday by winning three singles matches on Thursday. Her final victory of the day came against the No. 3 seed Lea Jansen, whom she defeated 11-5, 11-8. Bouchard will face top-seeded Kate Fahey, who advanced by beating No. 4 seed Mary Brascia in a three-game battle (6-11, 11-5, 11-0). The men's singles final is also set, featuring Gabe Joseph and Federico Staksrud, both advancing with straight-game semifinal wins.
Hit it deeper!
The Sacramento Vintage Open introduced a unique, old-school challenge to the professional field: all pros were required to compete using wooden paddles. This equipment shift heavily influenced strategy, particularly for Bouchard. The Canadian recognised the change, making a strategic "point of emphasis to get up to the kitchen line early and often". She explained her reasoning, stating, “I think there’s more of an advantage at the kitchen line with the wooden paddle,” because she finds it “a little bit harder to pass with” the vintage equipment.
Bouchard's run represents a new career-best finish, surpassing her previous best performance, which was reaching the semifinals last October in Las Vegas. She expressed immense enthusiasm over the accomplishment, saying, “It’s so special. I’ve wanted to make a final ever since I started playing pickleball, and I’m so excited to be in my first one”.
Standing in the way of her first PPA title is Kate Fahey, who is making her third consecutive women’s singles final appearance. Fahey’s semifinal clash against Mary Brascia required significant adjustments after dropping the first game 6-11. Fahey noted that Brascia was "dictating for the most part in that first game" and that she "had to adjust a little bit". Fahey turned the tide by deciding that she "came in more" in the second game, dominating the decider 11-0 to secure the win. Sunday’s final will mark only the second time Fahey and Bouchard have met; Fahey won their lone previous encounter in 2024 in three games, setting up a revenge opportunity for Bouchard.
In the men's singles draw, the final pits No. 8 seed Gabe Joseph against No. 2 seed Federico Staksrud. Joseph, a California native, defeated No. 13 seed Chris Haworth 11-5, 11-4 in their first-ever meeting, showcasing "great variety on his third shots," mixing drives and aggressively placed drops. Joseph felt comfortable with the required wooden paddle, stating that he trained with it the prior week and felt that the ball “just sits in the paddle,” which allows him to confidently “go after [his] shots”. This victory sends Joseph into his second singles final of the 2025 season.
Staksrud secured his fourth singles final appearance of the year by defeating No. 3 seed Connor Garnett 11-8, 11-1. Staksrud had a slow start, trailing 4-7 in the first game, but rebounded dramatically, winning 18 of the final 20 points of the match. Staksrud attributed his success to quick adaptation, stating that the day was about "who adjusted the fastest to these conditions," and focusing on "trying to hit everything flat". The men's final will feature a revenge narrative, as Joseph won their most recent match in Bristol last month.
The World Pickleball Verdict
The Sacramento Vintage Open, defined by the mandated use of wooden paddles, successfully tests adaptability and core pickleball skills over modern equipment advantages. Bouchard’s breakthrough performance into her first final is highly symbolic; it affirms her successful transition from an elite tennis player—a sport where she was ranked No. 5 globally—to a legitimate threat in professional pickleball. Her focus on controlling the kitchen line demonstrates tactical acumen critical under these unique conditions. Meanwhile, the men's final, featuring the strategic precision of Joseph and the impressive mid-match adjustment skills of Staksrud, promises a high-stakes, technically driven battle for the gold medal. The success of this 'vintage' experiment proves that pickleball's excitement derives not just from power, but from fundamental court craft and rapid adaptation to circumstances.