What’s the Score?
The 2026 PPA Tour has ignited with a series of high-octane clashes, most notably a “match of the year” candidate during the Carvana PPA Masters in Palm Springs, where Kate Fahey and Federico Staksrud overcame five match points to advance. As the tour transitions to the Pickleball Central Indoor National Championships in Lakeville, Minnesota, on January 19, the competitive landscape is wide open. With Ben Johns absent from the Minnesota singles field and Anna Leigh Waters playing only doubles, the tournament offers a “golden opportunity” for the field to climb the rankings.
Hit it deeper!
The Round of 16 at the PPA Masters delivered drama across every bracket. The standout mixed doubles match saw No. 8 seeds Fahey and Staksrud face a 7-10 deficit in the third game against Rachel Rohrabacher and Will Howells. After an hour and a half of intense action, Fahey and Staksrud triumphed 4-11, 12-10, 14-12, a win Staksrud described as vital for their season-long partnership. In Men’s Singles, Gabe Joseph avenged a previous loss by taking down No. 10 seed John Lucian Goins with an 11-3 final game victory.
Looking ahead to the Indoor National Championships in Lakeville, the draws feature unique storylines driven by faster indoor conditions. Hunter Johnson takes the top seed in Men’s Singles, while Kaitlyn Christian leads the Women’s Singles field. In Mixed Doubles, the No. 1 seeds are Anna Bright and Hayden Patriquin, while Tyra Black and Christian Alshon seek their first gold as the No. 2 seeds. The Men’s Doubles bracket features the “old but new” pairing of Gabe Tardio and Andrei Daescu as the top seeds.
Key Round of 16 Results Across Brackets:
- Mixed Doubles: Fahey/Staksrud defeated Rohrabacher/Howells (14-12 in the third).
- Men’s Singles: Gabe Joseph defeated John Lucian Goins (11-9, 10-12, 11-3).
- Anticipated R16 Matchups (Lakeville): Hunter and Yates Johnson could meet in a brother-vs-brother clash; Connor Garnett (4) is slated to face veteran Tyson McGuffin (18).
Quarterfinal Matches to Watch Today:
- Women’s Singles: No. 4 Parris Todd vs. No. 5 Catherine Parenteau and No. 3 Lea Jansen vs. No. 7 Judit Castillo.
- Men’s Doubles: No. 4 Oncins/Frazier vs. No. 8 Garnett/Ge.
- Women’s Doubles: No. 4 Schneemann/Dizon vs. No. 8 Jansen/Smith.
The World Pickleball Verdict
The early 2026 season highlights two critical trends: the rising importance of mental toughness in high-pressure “Centre Court” moments and the volatility of a tour without its usual dominant figures in every bracket. The Fahey/Staksrud comeback serves as a reminder that the gap between seeds is narrowing. Meanwhile, the Lakeville tournament will test who can adapt their game to faster indoor environments, potentially crowning new champions and shifting the balance of power for the remainder of the year.
Chris Beaumont is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of World Pickleball Magazine. Chris follows the global game closely, reporting on the latest news, developments, stories and tournaments from all five continents. He also hosts the World Pickleball Podcast, interviewing people at all levels of pickleball. Chris is also an avid player, currently struggling to make the breakthrough from 4.0 to 4.5.