Bouchard’s PPA Final, Malaysia Cup Upsets, Morris Singles Gold
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Tennis Legend Genie Bouchard Reaches First Career PPA Final in Sacramento
Sacramento, United States – Former tennis star Genie Bouchard has achieved a major milestone in her pickleball career, advancing to her first career PPA final at the Pickleball Central Sacramento Vintage Open. The Canadian, who once reached a career-high ranking of No. 5 in the world and competed in eight WTA women’s singles finals, secured her spot on Championship Sunday after winning three singles matches on Thursday.
Bouchard's final triumph of the day came against the No. 3 seed Lea Jansen, whom she defeated 11-5, 11-8 on Humana Championship Court. This performance sets a new career-best finish for Bouchard, surpassing her previous best run to the semifinals last October in Las Vegas. She expressed immense excitement about the achievement, stating, “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”.
The tournament’s unique condition of requiring all pros to use wooden paddles this week influenced Bouchard’s strategy. She explained that she made it a point of emphasis to get up to the kitchen line early and often, believing there is "more of an advantage at the kitchen line with the wooden paddle" because she finds it harder to pass with the equipment.
Standing in the way of Bouchard’s first career PPA title is top-seeded Kate Fahey. Fahey secured her place in the final—her third straight women’s singles final—by defeating No. 4 seed Mary Brascia. Although Brascia played a strong opening game (11-6), Fahey adjusted in the second game, noting she “came in more”, and went on to dominate the decider 11-0, clinching the victory 6-11, 11-5, 11-0. Sunday will mark only the second-ever meeting between the finalists. Fahey won their lone previous encounter in 2024 in three games, meaning Bouchard will be looking to avenge that loss as she chases her first career PPA gold medal.
Wooden Paddle Duel: Joseph and Staksrud Set for Sacramento Men's Singles Gold Medal Clash
Sacramento, United States – The PPA Tour is embracing nostalgia this week at the Pickleball Central Sacramento Vintage Open by requiring professional players to compete using wooden paddles. Despite the vintage equipment, Gabe Joseph and Federico Staksrud delivered peak performances on the singles court, both securing straight-game victories in the semifinals to earn their spots in the Championship Sunday final.
No. 8 seed Gabe Joseph initiated the semifinal action by defeating No. 13 seed Chris Haworth 11-5, 11-4. This match marked the first-ever meeting between the two competitors. Joseph demonstrated exceptional skill, showcasing great variety in his third shots by mixing drives with aggressively placed drops. The California native expressed comfort with the old-school paddle, noting that he trained with it the previous week and felt that the ball "just sits in the paddle," allowing him to confidently "go after [his] shots". This victory sends Joseph into his second singles final of the 2025 season.
In the subsequent semifinal, No. 2 seed Federico Staksrud defeated No. 3 seed Connor Garnett with a final score of 11-8, 11-1. Staksrud had a slow start, trailing 4-7 in the opening game, but quickly found his rhythm. He then went on a massive scoring run, winning 18 of the final 20 points of the match to advance to his fourth singles final of the year. Staksrud noted that Thursday’s performance was about who adjusted fastest to the conditions. He successfully adapted by focusing on trying to "hit everything flat," finding comfort as each match progressed.
The gold medal match will feature a revenge narrative. Joseph won the duo’s most recent encounter last month in Bristol, meaning Staksrud will be highly motivated to even the score and claim the crown on Sunday.
International Stars Scrape By as Underdogs Deliver Shocking Upsets at Panas Malaysia Cup Opening Day
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – The PPA Tour Asia Panas Malaysia Cup 2025 ignited with high drama and stunning upsets on its opening day. The action saw lower seeds shine while top international players were pushed to their absolute limits.
The most notable scare involved men’s world No. 1 Ben Johns, who was playing men’s doubles with Christian Alshon for the first time. They faced the Vietnamese duo of Hien Truong and Quan Do in the Round of 16. Johns and Alshon dominated the first game 11-0, but the underdogs rallied furiously, winning the second game 11-9. In the deciding game, Truong and Do, spurred on by the frenzy of the crowd, found themselves ahead 8-7, just three points from a monumental upset. Johns and Alshon had to score the final four points of the contest to survive the nail-biter 11-8 and advance. US professional Anna Bright commented on the "Crazy freaking match," praising the Vietnamese players for being "so good".
In singles action, UPA Asia Trailblazer Marco Leung delivered the day’s biggest surprise by defeating second seed Grayson Goldin 11-9, 10-12, 11-9. Leung, from Macau, secured what was described as the biggest win of his career. The thrills continued in women’s singles as Chinese Taipei’s Huang Hsiang Wen staged a heroic comeback against Canadian fourth seed Hannah Blatt. Huang dropped the opener but battled back, ultimately overcoming an 0-9 deficit in the third game to win 10-12, 12-10, 13-11.
Meanwhile, Australia’s Sahra Dennehy was a standout, successfully reaching three quarterfinals. She defeated third seed Liz Truluck in women’s singles (7-11, 11-9, 11-6) and completed a sweep of North American seeds by defeating Blatt and Goldin in mixed doubles alongside Santhosh Narayanan.
Roos Van Reek Leads Charge as Women's Singles Semifinalists Emerge at Panas Malaysia Cup
Shah Alam, Malaysia – The PPA Tour Asia Panas Malaysia Cup 2025 women’s singles quarterfinals wrapped up Friday in Shah Alam, Selangor, setting the field for the semifinals. After a day of focused play, four elite athletes—Roos Van Reek, Andie Dikosavljevic, Kaitlyn Christian, and Chao Yi Wang—all secured straight-game victories to keep their championship hopes alive.
Roos Van Reek kicked off the day’s action with a strong performance, successfully defeating Sahra Dennehy 11-6, 11-7. Van Reek maintained control from the beginning, relying on steady shots and smart placement to ensure she stayed ahead in both games, booking her place in the final four.
Kaitlyn Christian delivered one of the most commanding results of the quarterfinal round. She overpowered Ting Chieh Wei, achieving a clean 11-4, 11-1 victory. Christian's sharp serves and decisive net play offered her opponent minimal opportunity to recover.
Completing the straight-set victories was Chao Yi Wang, who advanced by defeating Nicola Schoeman 11-7, 11-5. Wang’s consistent defence and composure allowed her to maintain a safe lead throughout the contest.
The only three-set battle required in the quarterfinals involved Andie Dikosavljevic, who edged past Hsiang Wen Huang. Dikosavljevic secured the first game 11-4, but Huang rallied to take the second 9-11. Dikosavljevic then regained momentum in the deciding game, closing the match 11-3. These victories establish the four matchups for the women's singles semifinals, promising exciting competition as the players vie for the championship match.
Alshon Dominates, Hien Truong Ends Underdog Run as Men's Singles Semifinals Confirmed in Shah Alam
Shah Alam, Malaysia – The PPA Tour Asia Panas Malaysia Cup 2025 men’s singles quarterfinals concluded Friday in Shah Alam, Selangor, determining the four players who advanced to the semifinals. The final four—Hoang Nam Ly, Christian Alshon, Hien Truong, and Hong Kit Wong—secured their spots following a day characterised by dominant performances and thrilling comebacks.
Christian Alshon delivered the most comprehensive victory of the round, cruising past Mitchell Hargreaves in straight games. Alshon’s steady play and sharp shot-making controlled the pace completely, leading to a decisive 11-4, 11-1 scoreline.
Hien Truong successfully ended the tournament run of UPA Asia Trailblazer Marco Leung. Leung had previously stunned the second seed Grayson Goldin, but Truong proved too strong, delivering a commanding 11-3, 11-3 straight-game victory. Truong utilised quick attacks and consistent defence to prevent Leung from finding his rhythm.
Hoang Nam Ly advanced with a 2-1 win over Giang Trinh. Ly took the first game 11-3, but dropped the second 8-11 before regaining control in the decider to seal the match 11-5.
The most dramatic match of the quarterfinals saw Hong Kit Wong stage a crucial comeback against Phuc Huynh. Wong dropped the opening game with a significant margin, 2-11, but fought back. He showcased resilience and sharp adjustments under pressure to take the next two games 11-7, 11-8, securing his path to the semifinals. These victories set the stage for highly anticipated semifinal matchups as the players battle for a spot in the championship final at one of Asia’s biggest pickleball events.
Green Light for UK Pickleball: Dudley Council Approves New Eight-Court Stourbridge Centre
Dudley, United Kingdom – Planners at Dudley Council have officially given the go-ahead for the development of a new purpose-built pickleball centre in the borough. The approval authorises the conversion of a disused industrial unit located on the Mill Race Lane trading estate in Stourbridge.
The new centre is slated to provide eight dedicated pickleball courts along with associated facilities, a shop, and a cafe. The application, supported by a statement from GH Design, highlighted the sport's dramatic rise since its development in America in the 1960s. According to the statement, despite an estimated 35,000 pickleball players in the UK, there are currently no purpose-built courts within 20 miles of Stourbridge. The rapid growth and inclusive appeal of pickleball—drawing players across all ages and fitness levels—make now the ideal time to launch a club in the heart of Stourbridge. This initiative also aligns with national health policies focused on creating inclusive, community-driven spaces.
The development is predicted to boost the local economy by creating up to ten new jobs at the site, which will also include 26 dedicated parking spaces.
The application did receive two letters of objection concerning noise pollution and pedestrian safety. However, council officers, in recommending approval, noted that the applicant submitted a revised Noise Impact Assessment. This updated report concluded that any noise generated by the proposed use would "remain well below existing ambient and background sound levels in the area," ensuring no "significant harm to neighbouring amenity". Furthermore, an amended plan addressing pedestrian safety was deemed acceptable, providing a "clearer and safer route for pedestrians and cyclists".
Champions Crowned: Harrison Brown, Shelby Bates, and Katie Morris Triumph at WPC Bali 2025
Bali, Indonesia – The WPC – Bali 2025 tournament concluded on the grand stage with top professionals claiming titles in the Pro divisions. The event celebrated the outstanding performances of the winners in the tropical setting.
In the Mixed Doubles (MXD) 19+ Pro category, the championship title was awarded to the pairing of Harrison Brown & Shelby Bates. Their victory marked a significant achievement at the international tournament. The organisers highlighted their "Outstanding performance," noting it was "truly worthy of the Pro title" at the WPC – Bali 2025.
Similarly, the Women’s Singles (WS) 19+ Pro category saw a major win for the English contingent. Katie Morris of England was crowned the champion of the Women’s Singles 19+ Pro division. Morris also received high praise for her display of professional skill.
The results confirmed the professional champions recognised at this global pickleball event.