Sock stuns McGuffin, India gets World Cup nod, chaos in OC Cup

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Here's the news from the last 24 hours in pickleball.

Staksrud & Patriquin Stave Off Shock Upset, Clawing Back to Orange County Cup Quarterfinals

San Clemente, California, USA – Federico Staksrud and Hayden Patriquin, the No. 2 seeds, demonstrated remarkable resilience on Thursday, overcoming an early scare to advance to the men’s doubles quarterfinals at the Select Medical Orange County Cup. Facing Jay Devilliers and Grayson Goldin, who were playing together for the first time, Staksrud and Patriquin lost the opening game 9-11 at the Carvana Grandstand Court.

Despite the shaky start, the seasoned duo remained focused, swiftly turning the match around by dominating the second game 11-5. The deciding third game proved to be a tense affair, with Staksrud and Patriquin trailing at critical junctures, including 5-7 and 8-9. However, they dug deep, executing a clutch three-point run to seal the victory with an 11-9 finish, thereby avoiding what would have been a significant upset at one of the PPA Tour’s premier events.

Their next challenge for a spot in the semifinals will be against Riley Inn and Luke Williams. Inn and Williams, who entered the main draw as "Lucky Losers," have already shown their capability by defeating No. 12 seeds Tyler Loong and Spencer Smith on Thursday. Staksrud and Patriquin will aim to continue their strong run as they push deeper into the Orange County Cup, seeking to add another title to their season.

India's Pickleball Surge Lands Historic World Cup Invite, Fueling Olympic Dreams

New Delhi, India – The Indian Pickleball Association (IPA) has received a landmark official invitation to participate in the 2025 Pickleball World Cup, scheduled to take place from October 27 to November 2, 2025, at the Fort Lauderdale Pickleball Club in Florida, USA. This invitation marks a significant turning point for Indian pickleball, reflecting its meteoric rise in popularity and global standing.

Organisers anticipate more than 50 national delegations, with each team expected to field at least four players across the Open and Senior divisions. Alongside the main event, a concurrent International Pickleball Tournament—World Cup Edition—will welcome players of all ages, including Para-Pickleball athletes. The IPA's representatives are also invited to the World Pickleball Promoters Forum, an important platform for discussions on global expansion and the sport’s Olympic aspirations with international counterparts and authorities.

India has witnessed an astounding growth in pickleball, transforming from just 200 courts in early 2024 to over 1,200 courts and more than 50,000 active players. As the officially recognised apex authority for pickleball in India, the IPA has been instrumental in this development, promoting grassroots initiatives, organising major tournaments, and sanctioning the upcoming World Pickleball League. This World Cup invitation provides Indian athletes an invaluable opportunity to showcase their skills and contribute to the sport’s burgeoning global future.

Calm Chaos: Johnson & Klinger Stage Masterful Comeback at Orange County Cup

San Clemente, California, USA – JW Johnson and CJ Klinger, the No. 4 seeds, showcased their championship pedigree on Wednesday, advancing to the quarterfinals of the Select Medical Orange County Cup after a three-game comeback victory. They defeated Julian Arnold and Pat Smith with scores of 5-11, 11-8, 11-4 in a match that saw Julian Arnold’s trademark "Andiamo!" shouts and powerful two-handed backhands dominate the opening game. Arnold, with a history of success at this event, including a semifinal appearance in 2024 and an MLP title in San Clemente, came out firing.

However, Johnson and Klinger, known for their composed approach, regrouped after the slow start. As CJ Klinger explained, despite Arnold's "energy," "tricky shots," and "good hands," they "stayed calm and cool, and that helped us prevail at the end of the day". This steady strategy, reminiscent of their title run in Atlanta earlier this year, allowed them to control the pace and remain solid at the kitchen line, ultimately sealing the next two games.

Johnson and Klinger's ability to maintain their composure under pressure proved to be the decisive factor. They now await the winner of the match between Tyson McGuffin/Noe Khlif and Hunter Johnson/Augie Ge, with their quarterfinal match scheduled for Friday. This calm and collected approach will be crucial as they continue their pursuit of the Orange County Cup title.

Jack Sock Unleashes Forehand Fury, Dominating Teammate on Orange County Cup Quarterfinal Run

San Clemente, California, USA – Jack Sock, the No. 9 seed, made a powerful statement at the Select Medical Orange County Cup on Thursday, blasting his way into the men’s singles quarterfinals. Utilising his formidable forehand, Sock delivered a dominant performance to defeat fellow Phoenix Flames teammate, Tyson McGuffin (the No. 6 seed), in straight games, 11-5, 11-6.

Sock’s forehand was the undisputed weapon of the match, controlling play from start to finish and delivering consistent winners. He expressed confidence in his shotmaking, stating he “had a great feel for it today”. Despite the high-stakes competition, the match maintained a friendly and light-hearted tone between the two Major League Pickleball teammates, who share a strong friendship off the court, including golfing together. A humorous moment even saw McGuffin playfully toss his paddle and hat at Sock after a lucky net cord point.

This convincing victory highlights Sock’s top form and readiness for the deeper stages of the tournament. The former tennis star will now face a challenging quarterfinal opponent on Friday: either No. 3 seed Connor Garnett or No. 17 seed Grayson Goldin. Fans can anticipate more exciting play as Sock continues his ascent in the pickleball world.

Blockbuster MLP Trade: Mari Humberg Makes Shock Return to Top-Ranked New Jersey 5s

United States – Major League Pickleball (MLP) confirmed a significant roster shake-up on Thursday morning, announcing a trade that sees Mari Humberg make a surprise return to the top-ranked New Jersey 5s. In exchange, Christa Gecheva and cash considerations will head to the DC Pickleball Team.

Humberg’s return is a notable development, as she was originally traded from the New Jersey 5s to the Brooklyn Aces (which later became the DC Pickleball Team) just before the player drop deadline. Her re-acquisition bolsters the New Jersey 5s, who currently sit atop the standings with an impressive 12-3 record and 36 points. The refreshed New Jersey 5s roster now features a formidable lineup including Anna Leigh Waters, Meghan Dizon, Mari Humberg, Zane Navratil, Will Howells, and Craig Johnson.

For the DC Pickleball Team, currently in third place at the Challenger level with a 2-3 record, the addition of Christa Gecheva brings new talent to their roster, which includes Andrea Koop, Daniel de la Rosa, and Stefan Auvergne. This strategic move is expected to strengthen New Jersey as they push towards the final stretch of the season, while offering DC new options to improve their Challenger performance. The trade underscores the dynamic nature of MLP as teams continuously adjust their lineups to remain competitive.

Mixed Doubles Thriller: Black & Ignatowich Survive 12-10 Nail-Biter to Advance

San Clemente, California, USA – Tyra Hurricane Black and James Ignatowich navigated a high-tension Round of 16 match on Thursday, ultimately emerging victorious in a thrilling three-game battle to advance to the mixed doubles quarterfinals at the Select Medical Orange County Cup. Their opponents, Tina Pisnik and Dylan Frazier, initially seized control, winning the first game 11-7 at Life Time Rancho San Clemente.

Undeterred, Black and Ignatowich quickly adjusted their strategy, rallying to claim the second game convincingly with an 11-4 score. The decisive third game proved to be a true nail-biter, with both teams fighting fiercely for every point. In a testament to their composure and skill under pressure, Black and Ignatowich managed to clinch the narrow 12-10 victory, securing their spot among the top eight mixed doubles teams in this highly competitive PPA Tour tournament.

This significant win propels them deeper into one of the PPA Tour’s most challenging events, where every match is a crucial step towards the finals. Their next match in the quarterfinals will determine whether they continue their impressive run and vie for the mixed doubles title.

Unstoppable Underdog: Rafael Lenhard Continues Fairytale Run with Stunner Victories

San Clemente, California, USA – Rafael Lenhard, the No. 61 seed, continues to captivate fans at the Select Medical Orange County Cup, extending his remarkable underdog narrative by advancing to the men’s singles quarterfinals on Thursday. Following his earlier upsets over top-ranked Ben Johns and Zane Navratil, Lenhard showcased his mental fortitude once again by defeating No. 13 seed Noe Khlif in a hard-fought three-game match (7-11, 11-0, 11-7) at Life Time Rancho San Clemente.

Despite dropping the first game to Khlif, Lenhard remained unyielding, dominating the second game with a commanding 11-0 shutout before closing out the decider. Lenhard’s consistent belief in his abilities has been a cornerstone of his success. "I believe in my skills, and I work hard," he stated, emphasising his unwavering self-belief and trust in his shots.

Now in the quarterfinals, Lenhard eagerly anticipates facing No. 8 seed Christian Alshon. He views Alshon as a potential "toughest matchup" due to their similar aggressive playing styles, characterised by big forehands and finesse on the backhand. Lenhard’s inspiring journey underscores how confidence and dedication can propel a low-seeded player to challenge the elite, proving that strong belief and preparation are key to success.

Paddle-Smashing Fury: World No. 14 Zane Ford Unleashes Epic Meltdown After Upset Loss

United States – The intensity of professional pickleball was on full display when Zane Ford, the world’s No. 14 singles player, experienced an “all-time meltdown” after a devastating loss at the Humana Championship Court. During his Round of 32 match against James Ignatowich, ranked No. 46, Ford suffered a crushing defeat with scores of 0-11, 11-1, 11-4.

The breaking point for Ford came on the final point, a wayward volley that landed just outside the line. Immediately after the error, Ford’s frustration boiled over. He repeatedly smashed his paddle against the ground and attempted multiple times to break it in half using his knee. The incident, captured on video, not only highlighted the raw emotions at the pro level but also surprisingly showcased the impressive durability of high-quality pickleball paddles, which only bent under the assault.

While Ford’s outburst demonstrated the intense pressure of professional play, his opponent, James Ignatowich, was seen smiling as he walked off the court, having not only secured a significant upset victory but also witnessed the dramatic aftermath. Ford’s reaction, though extreme, underscored a common frustration felt by players who dominate early but falter in the decisive moments.