Waters and Johns Breeze into Mixed Doubles Final with Clinical Display
What's the Score?
The top-seeded mixed doubles pair of Anna Leigh Waters and Ben Johns will face the No. 2 seeds, siblings Jorja Johnson and JW Johnson, in the final after both teams secured victories in their semifinals at Cary Tennis Park. Waters/Johns defeated No. 4 seeds Anna Bright and Federico Staksrud 11-4, 11-2. The Johnsons overcame No. 10 seeds Meghan Dizon and Andrei Daescu 11-9, 11-8.
Hit it deeper!
Anna Leigh Waters and Ben Johns delivered a dominant performance in their mixed doubles semifinal against Anna Bright and Federico Staksrud. The top-seeded duo secured a straightforward victory in just over half an hour, winning 11-4, 11-2. Waters was particularly effective attacking crosscourt out of the air with her forehand. Explaining her success, Waters noted, “I was really liking being against the wind, and I felt like some of Fed’s dinks were popping up high enough to where I could attack crosscourt,”. She added, “I’m not the tallest person on the court, so I don’t usually get the opportunity to reach in and attack crosscourt, but because they were with the wind, I was getting more opportunities to do so,”. Their clinical performance showcased their strong partnership and tactical execution.
In the second mixed doubles semifinal, Jorja Johnson and JW Johnson faced a tougher challenge against Meghan Dizon and Andrei Daescu. The No. 2 seeded siblings trailed 7-9 in the first game but rallied to score four consecutive points and steal the game 11-9. In the second game, the Johnsons jumped out to a 10-4 lead, but Dizon and Daescu fought back, bringing the score to 8-10 before the Johnsons finally closed out the match 11-8 on their seventh match point.
Jorja Johnson spoke about the tense final moments of the second game, stating, “I just looked at JW and told him that it’s gonna be this one. I said it after every point, so it probably got old, but you’ve just gotta believe that that’s the one you’re gonna close it out on,”. Her persistence and belief ultimately paid off as they secured their place in the final.
The upcoming mixed doubles final will be a highly anticipated match between the top two seeded teams, with Waters/Johns looking to continue their dominance and the Johnson siblings aiming to upset the reigning champions. Both teams demonstrated strong performances in their semifinals, setting the stage for a thrilling battle for the gold medal.
The World Pickleball Verdict
The mixed doubles final between the top seeds Waters/Johns and the No. 2 seeded Johnson siblings promises an electrifying contest. Waters and Johns' dominant semifinal victory underscores their status as the team to beat, with Waters' strategic use of the wind highlighting their adaptability. The Johnsons' hard-fought win, marked by their resilience in the first game and perseverance in closing out the second, demonstrates their competitive spirit and determination. The sibling dynamic adds an extra layer of intrigue to this top-level matchup. This final represents a significant clash of established dominance versus rising contenders, and the outcome will likely provide insights into the evolving landscape of mixed doubles in professional pickleball.