Veolia Cincinnati Showcase Delivers Thrilling PPA Tour Upsets & Comebacks
Cincinnati, USA – The Veolia Cincinnati Showcase presented by Six Zero, held from Wednesday, September 10 to Thursday, September 11, 2025, at the prestigious Lindner Family Tennis Center, unfolded as a captivating arena for high-stakes professional pickleball. The tournament’s initial Round of 32 action across all five pro events delivered a series of dramatic comebacks, dominant individual performances, and the exciting progression of both seasoned professionals and rapidly rising stars. From thrilling men’s singles upsets to hard-fought women’s, men’s, and mixed doubles victories, Cincinnati became a focal point for narratives of resilience, strategic prowess, and the captivating competitive spirit that increasingly defines modern pickleball. This combined entry encapsulates the most compelling stories from the early rounds of this significant PPA Tour event.
Hit it deeper!
The Lindner Family Tennis Center, a venue with its own rich history in racket sports, became the stage for some of the most memorable early-round matches of the 2025 PPA Tour season. The Veolia Cincinnati Showcase immediately plunged players into intense competition, setting a high bar for the remainder of the tournament.
One of the most talked-about matches was the men’s singles encounter between Jay Devilliers, known as ‘The Flying Frenchman,’ and the formidable No. 8 seed John Lucian Goins. This match, described as an "instant classic", spanned nearly eighty minutes and decisively ended Goins’ bid for a third consecutive men’s singles title. Goins, a 17-year-old talent, had entered with significant momentum, having previously secured titles at the most recent PPA Tour events in Bristol and Las Vegas. However, Devilliers was determined to halt this impressive streak. The opening game vividly showcased Devilliers' remarkable resilience; he found himself in a dire situation, trailing 1-9, yet mounted a stunning and unforgettable comeback to claim the game 11-9, immediately signalling his competitive intent and mental toughness. Goins, a fierce competitor, responded with equal determination, securing an "equally competitive Game 2" to level the match at one game apiece, setting the stage for a decisive and high-stakes third game. The final game remained intensely deadlocked until the score reached a crucial 6-6. At this critical juncture, Devilliers, drawing on his extensive experience and physical conditioning, unleashed a dominant run, scoring the final five points consecutively to secure an 11-6 victory and clinch the epic contest. Devilliers’ triumph was particularly significant given his recent challenges, having missed the latter half of the 2024 season due to a knee injury, making his performance a powerful statement of his successful return to top competitive form. Post-match, Devilliers revealed his meticulous preparation, stating, "I spent like three hours watching his matches" the day prior, implementing specific strategies that proved highly effective. A key weapon in his arsenal was his two-handed backhand, a shot he has diligently refined after primarily using a one-handed backhand during his collegiate tennis career. He noted that this shot, which "didn’t come very naturally" to him, is "finally starting to take shape at times" and "came up big down the stretch". Devilliers is now set to face No. 18 seed Adam Harvey in the next round for a quarterfinal spot.
Also in men’s singles, Federico Staksrud kicked off his campaign with a commanding performance, securing a dominant straight-set victory over Alexander Crum 11-7, 11-1 in the Round of 32. Staksrud "controlled the match from the beginning," employing "steady play and consistent shot-making". After taking the first game, he "raised his level even further" in the second, conceding only a single point. This swift and decisive win, described as one of the "most one-sided results of the day", propelled him confidently into the Round of 16. Tyson McGuffin also navigated a challenging path in men's singles. He secured a hard-fought, three-game victory over Mohaned Alhouni, winning 7-11, 12-10, 14-12. After Alhouni claimed the opening game, McGuffin battled back, winning the second and then "held his nerve" in a tense third game to secure the win. This performance underscored McGuffin's ability to "respond under pressure".
The women’s doubles draw witnessed its own dramatic comeback. Maggie Brascia and Mary Brascia staged a remarkable rally after dropping their first game to Ewa Radzikowska and Layne Sleeth 2-11. Radzikowska and Sleeth "came out fast," dominating the opener. However, the Brascia sisters "quickly shifted momentum," controlling the second game 11-4. The deciding third game was tight, but the sisters "found their rhythm late" to close it out 11-8, securing their spot in the Round of 16. This victory highlighted their resilience and ability to "adjust and respond under pressure".
In men’s doubles, former American tennis stars Jack Sock and Donald Young made a triumphant and symbolic return to the Lindner Family Tennis Center, a venue where Sock had been a tennis doubles runner-up in 2014. Sock described it as a "fun full circle moment" playing with Young, with whom he has "known each other for at least 20 years now". The duo overcame a "slow start" to defeat No. 13 seeds Connor Garnett and Zane Navratil 11-8, 11-8, advancing to face No. 3 seeds Christian Alshon and Andrei Daescu for a spot in the quarterfinals. Sock, who debuted in pro pickleball in 2024 like Young, expressed a greater focus on doubles and mixed doubles, stating he’s been "‘in the lab,’ as they say, trying to get better at the whole kitchen area". Christian Alshon and Andrei Daescu, meanwhile, had themselves a dominant showing, cruising into the Round of 16. Another men's doubles pair, Jay Devilliers (again demonstrating his versatility) and Riley Newman, also secured a hard-fought three-game victory. They defeated John Lucian G and Tom Protzek 11-6, 5-11, 11-9, holding firm in a close deciding game to advance to the Round of 16.
The mixed doubles competition also featured a notable comeback. Pablo Tellez and Chao Yi Wang rallied from behind to ignite an upset, defeating Lacy Schneemann and AJ Koller 8-11, 11-4, 11-8 in the Round of 32. After dropping the first game, Tellez and Wang "responded quickly, dominating the second game" before "holding steady" in the tight third game to secure their win. Their ability to recover and close out the match gives them "momentum going forward" into the Round of 16.
The World Pickleball Verdict
The Veolia Cincinnati Showcase presented by Six Zero, through its early rounds, painted a vivid picture of professional pickleball as a sport characterised by unrelenting competition, dramatic swings of momentum, and the critical importance of mental fortitude. The stories emerging from the Lindner Family Tennis Center—from Devilliers’ stunning singles upset fueled by meticulous preparation and a return from injury, to the Brascia sisters’ tenacious doubles comeback, and the seamless transition of tennis greats like Sock and Young—collectively underscore the sport's rapidly evolving competitive landscape. These narratives not only provide thrilling entertainment for fans but also offer invaluable insights into the strategic depth and psychological demands now required to succeed at the highest level. Cincinnati’s early action sets a compelling tone, affirming pickleball's growing capacity to deliver captivating sports drama and highlighting the diverse talents converging to shape its professional future. The tournament exemplifies the intense battles and inspiring resilience that are becoming hallmarks of the PPA Tour.