Sibling Surprise! Johnsons Conquer Pickleball Power Couple Waters and Johns in Mixed Doubles Thriller
What's the Score?
Jorja Johnson secured her second title of the Veolia North Carolina Open as she and her brother JW Johnson defeated top seeds Anna Leigh Waters and Ben Johns in a thrilling five-game mixed doubles final. This victory marked the first time the Johnson siblings had ever defeated Waters and Johns on Championship Sunday in eight attempts.
Hit it deeper!
Gabe Tardio wasn't the only player to earn two titles at the Veolia North Carolina Open; Jorja Johnson also joined this exclusive club with a remarkable victory in the mixed doubles final. Partnering with her brother JW Johnson, the No. 2 seeds triumphed over the top-seeded powerhouse duo of Anna Leigh Waters and Ben Johns in a captivating five-game match (8-11, 11-7, 11-6, 3-11, 11-8).
After dropping the first game, the Johnson siblings rallied to take the next two games, putting them in a strong position. However, Waters and Johns responded emphatically, winning the fourth game and establishing a 6-3 lead in the decisive fifth game. Undeterred by this deficit, Jorja and JW Johnson mounted an impressive comeback, finishing the match on an 8-2 run to secure their first-ever Championship Sunday victory over Waters and Johns in eight previous encounters.
Jorja Johnson, riding the momentum from her earlier win in women’s doubles, delivered an exceptional performance. She demonstrated her ability to hold her own in crosscourt dink rallies against Anna Leigh Waters and challenge Ben Johns in fast-paced hand battles up the line. Following their landmark win, Jorja expressed her happiness and resilience, stating that they "just played our hardest and didn’t let the previous losses get us down".
In the bronze medal match of the mixed doubles division, first-time partners and No. 4 seeds Anna Bright and Federico Staksrud defeated No. 10 seeds Meghan Dizon and Andrei Daescu in straight games (11-7, 11-7).
The World Pickleball Verdict
The victory of Jorja and JW Johnson over Anna Leigh Waters and Ben Johns in the mixed doubles final of the Veolia North Carolina Open is a significant moment in their careers and a notable shift in the competitive landscape of professional pickleball. Overcoming a career-long challenge against one of the sport's most dominant pairs, especially after falling behind in the final game, demonstrates their growth, skill, and mental fortitude. Jorja Johnson's exceptional performance, contributing to both her women's doubles and mixed doubles titles, marks her as a standout player in the tournament. This result adds further evidence to the increasing competitiveness across the professional game, with established top players facing greater challenges from emerging talents. The Johnson siblings' breakthrough victory is likely to boost their confidence and establish them as a formidable force in the mixed doubles division moving forward.