PPA Cincinnati Semifinals: Alshon, Garnett, Waters Advance to Finals
Mason, Ohio, USA – The PPA Tour Veolia Cincinnati Showcase presented by Six Zero reached a fever pitch on September 13, 2025, as a series of thrilling semifinal matchups unfolded, culminating in a Championship Sunday slate brimming with star power and compelling narratives. From dramatic comebacks to dominant sweeps, the day highlighted the incredible athleticism and strategic depth of professional pickleball, with top contenders securing their places in the finals across men's and women's singles, mixed doubles, and men's and women's doubles categories.
What's the Score?
In men's singles, Christian Alshon and Connor Garnett navigated their way through tough opponents with straight-game victories, setting up a highly anticipated final clash. The mixed doubles finals will feature two of the sport's most dominant duos, as Anna Bright and Andrei Daescu prepare to challenge Anna Leigh Waters and Ben Johns. On the women's singles side, Anna Leigh Waters and Kate Fahey delivered commanding performances to secure their spots. The men's doubles saw Ben Johns and Gabriel Tardio advance with a powerful display, while Christian Alshon and Andrei Daescu pulled off a dramatic three-game comeback. Finally, the women's doubles bracket witnessed a monumental upset as the Kawamoto sisters stunned the top-seeded Waters and Bright, earning their place against the in-form duo of Tyra Black and Jorja Johnson.
Hit it deeper!
The men's singles semifinals were nothing short of captivating. The No. 6 seed, Christian Alshon, kicked off the day with an impressive 11-3, 11-7 victory over top-seeded Hunter Johnson. The match took a dramatic turn when Johnson, after dropping the first game, called for a medical timeout due to a calf issue. Upon returning, Johnson seemed revitalised, quickly establishing a formidable 6-0 lead in the second game, appearing poised to force a decider. However, Alshon displayed remarkable composure, weathering the storm and orchestrating an astonishing comeback by scoring eleven of the next twelve points to close out the contest 11-7. Alshon attributed his ability to remain calm to a philosophical approach, telling Pickleballtv, “It’s easy to get mad when somebody starts playing really well, but at the same time, there’s no reason to get mad because you’re not the one doing it. I just had to try and weather the storm”. This victory marks Alshon’s first final appearance since winning the Texas Open in March.
In the second men's singles semifinal, Connor Garnett delivered a masterful performance, dominating No. 57 seed Chris Haworth with an 11-4, 11-1 score. Haworth had previously made headlines by upsetting Jack Sock and Federico Staksrud in consecutive rounds, but Garnett proved too much. Garnett’s strategy against the 6’4” Haworth was to “keep him uncomfortable,” expertly manoeuvring the ball past him at the kitchen line. Garnett's run to the final has been particularly impressive, as he has not dropped a single game through five singles matches. He credits his recent Triple Crown at PPA Tour Asia’s Sansan Fukuoka Open for boosting his confidence to perform at such a high level in this Slam event. Sunday’s final will mark the third encounter between Alshon and Garnett this year, with Garnett having triumphed in their last meeting at the Orange County Cup.
In mixed doubles, Anna Bright and Andrei Daescu secured their spot in the championship match by sweeping Jw Johnson and Jorja Johnson in straight games, 11-6, 11-1. Their teamwork was exceptional, with Anna Bright's well-placed lobs consistently setting up Andrei Daescu to finish points at the net. Daescu lightheartedly commented on their partnership, joking, “She’s my biggest fan… it’s a little dig at Anna Bright,” and celebrated their "sweep" of the Johnsons. They will face Anna Leigh Waters and Ben Johns, who demonstrated their undisputed dominance by sweeping Jessie Irvine and Gabriel Tardio 11-1, 11-2. Ben Johns impressed with "phenomenal athleticism" around the net, making it impossible for their opponents to gain momentum. This sets up a high-stakes final between two of the tour's top mixed doubles teams.
The women's singles final will feature Anna Leigh Waters and Kate Fahey. Waters displayed unparalleled skill, defeating Catherine Parenteau 11-3, 11-2. She dictated the pace from the start, and a highlight of her match was "The 360° drop volley," which stunned her opponent and energised the crowd, cementing her status as an exciting and innovative player. Kate Fahey delivered an equally stunning performance, securing her spot by dominating Lea Jansen 11-0, 11-7. Fahey's first game was a rare and flawless 11-0 sweep, showcasing incredible precision in her passing shots. Though Jansen fought back in the second game, Fahey maintained her composure to close out the match.
In men's doubles, Gabriel Tardio and Ben Johns showcased a powerful partnership, defeating CJ Klinger and JW Johnson 11-5, 11-9. Johns' "electrifying energy" and "powerful forehand winner" sealed the first game, while their teamwork proved decisive in the tighter second game. Meanwhile, Christian Alshon and Andrei Daescu staged an "epic comeback" in a match hailed as a "match of the year" candidate. They defeated Federico Staksrud and Hayden Patriquin in a three-game battle, 12-14, 13-11, 11-1. After narrowly losing the first game, Alshon and Daescu, fueled by crowd support, fought back to win the second and then dominated the decisive third game 11-1, showcasing immense mental toughness and strategic prowess.
Perhaps the most dramatic upset of the day came in women's doubles, where the No. 6 seeded Jackie Kawamoto and Jade Kawamoto stunned top seeds Anna Leigh Waters and Anna Bright with a thrilling 7-11, 11-6, 11-9 victory. Waters and Bright seemed in full control, leading 9-4 in the deciding third game, but the Kawamoto sisters engineered an "astonishing seven straight points" to complete the upset. This defeat marked only the second consecutive loss for the previously dominant Waters and Bright, who had amassed an incredible 45-match winning streak. Jackie Kawamoto credited the "great" Cincinnati crowd for their pivotal role in inspiring the comeback, calling the tournament "very special". As a lefty-righty partnership, their key strategy was effectively covering the middle of the court with their forehands to counteract their opponents' powerful speedups. They will face the No. 4 seeds, Tyra Black and Jorja Johnson, who secured their spot by defeating Parris Todd and Catherine Parenteau 11-4, 11-8. Black and Johnson are in strong form, having recently won a gold medal in Las Vegas.
The World Pickleball Verdict
The PPA Tour Veolia Cincinnati Showcase semifinals have underscored the rapidly evolving and fiercely competitive nature of professional pickleball. The sheer number of dominant straight-game wins by seasoned pairs like Waters/Johns and Bright/Daescu, alongside newcomers like Garnett, reaffirms the consistent high-level play at the top. However, the tournament has also been a testament to resilience and the rise of formidable challengers. Christian Alshon's remarkable mental fortitude, battling back from a significant deficit against a top seed, and the Kawamoto sisters' epic, crowd-fueled upset against a seemingly unbeatable duo, demonstrate that any match can turn on a dime. These results not only set the stage for an explosive Championship Sunday filled with anticipated rivalries and potential new champions but also signal a growing depth of talent that promises to keep the PPA Tour exciting and unpredictable for fans worldwide. The drama witnessed in Cincinnati solidifies pickleball's place as a sport where every point, every game, and every match is a high-stakes affair.