Jardim and Todd dominate doubles in Cincinnati as top pros of the Association of Pickleball Professionals

 

The Association of Pickleball Professionals (APP) continued its thrilling action-packed journey, wasting no time after its recent event in Sacramento as it ventured into the rain-soaked city of Cincinnati for the highly anticipated 2023 Vlasic Classic. This prestigious tournament, proudly sponsored by Vlasic, the leading pickle brand in the United States, marked a unique partnership between the pickleball tour and the renowned company, a fitting collaboration that was announced back in February. With pickleball gaining immense popularity, it was only a matter of time before a pickle company stepped into the exciting realm of pickleball sponsorship.

The weather gods in Ohio had different plans for the weekend, causing disruptions in the tournament draws. However, the resilient players skillfully navigated between the originally planned outdoor courts at Sawyer Point, which featured a stunning configuration of brand new curved courts, and the impeccable indoor facility provided by Aces Pickleball. This strategic maneuvering ensured that the tournament progressed smoothly, keeping the excitement and competition intact.

Now, let's dive into the exhilarating action that unfolded over the weekend.

Men's Pro Singles Recap:

Although the pro singles draw featured a relatively smaller field, it delivered captivating matchups right from the start. The quarterfinals round witnessed mostly expected results, with seven out of the top eight seeds advancing to the next stage. However, an underdog story emerged as #23 seed Roscoe Bellamy, a recent UCLA tennis graduate, made a memorable debut in the APP. Bellamy displayed exceptional skills, defeating the #10 seed Grant Bond and the #7 seed Frank Anthony Davis to secure a spot in the quarterfinals. He faced a formidable opponent in #2 seed Yates Johnson, the previous APP pro singles titlist, but not before impressively claiming a game off the experienced Johnson.

Meanwhile, #1 seed Hunter Johnson continued his unstoppable run in 2023, displaying his dominance on the APP tour. Johnson effortlessly cruised into the final, securing his fifth consecutive appearance in the gold medal match this year. He showcased his exceptional skills by defeating #4 seed Jack Foster in the winner's bracket semifinals and the surprising #6 seed William Sobek in the winner's bracket final. Sobek's exceptional performance, despite falling short in the final, earned him a well-deserved bronze medal, marking his first-ever professional medal in any division.

The men's pro singles category set the stage for thrilling battles, showcasing the immense talent and determination of the players as they vied for victory on the pickleball court. With each match raising the bar of excellence, the audience was treated to a display of exceptional skill, strategic play, and sheer determination that exemplify the competitive spirit of the APP tour.

Stay tuned for more updates and action as the APP tour continues to captivate pickleball enthusiasts around the world, showcasing the best of the sport and paving the way for its ever-growing popularity. The highly anticipated final of the Men's Pro Singles category set the stage for yet another captivating showdown between the Johnson brothers, a familiar sight on the APP tour this season. This marked their third consecutive meeting in the battle for the prestigious Pro singles gold. Seeking redemption after his earlier loss to Hunter, Yates Johnson showcased his remarkable skills by defeating his brother in a dominant fashion, sweeping the match with three consecutive victories. This outstanding performance secured Yates his second consecutive APP singles gold medal, solidifying his status as a force to be reckoned with in the pickleball world.

The final standings in the Men's Pro Singles category are as follows: Gold - Yates Johnson, Silver - Hunter Johnson, and Bronze - William Sobek.

Turning our attention to the Women's Pro Singles division, the formidable #1 seed Salome Devidze continued her impressive reign, capturing her seventh APP Women's Pro Singles title. Displaying sheer dominance, Devidze remained undefeated throughout the tournament, not dropping a single game. The draw may have been thinned without her biggest rival, Parris Todd, but Devidze's unrivaled performance showcased her unparalleled skill and determination. In a thrilling battle for the silver, #3 seed Jenna Hessert emerged victorious, overcoming #2 seed Alix Troung in the winner's bracket and defeating #4 seed Amanda Hendry. Both Hessert and Hendry celebrated their first-ever professional medals, a testament to their remarkable talent and progress in the sport.

The final standings in the Women's Pro Singles category are as follows: Gold - Salome Devidze, Silver - Jenna Hessert, and Bronze - Amanda Hendry.

Shifting our focus to the Mixed Pro Doubles category, Andrei Daescu continued his incredible streak by claiming his third consecutive APP Mixed Pro doubles title. Teaming up with his new partner Alix Troung, Daescu fought his way through the loser's bracket, showcasing their resilience and determination. In a thrilling come-from-behind victory, they defeated the #4 seeds Susanne Barr & Rob Nunnery, who put up a strong fight. Surprisingly, the top-seeded teams led by both Johnson brothers fell short of the gold medal match, adding an element of unpredictability to the competition. The #1 seeds, Parris Todd & Hunter Johnson, salvaged the bronze medal by advancing to the consolation bracket final before ultimately falling to Truong & Daescu. This monumental victory marked Alix Truong's first-ever professional gold medal, highlighting her rising star in the world of pickleball.

The final standings in the Mixed Pro Doubles category are as follows: Gold - Truong & Daescu, Silver - Barr & Nunnery, and Bronze - Todd & Johnson.

The Men's Pro Doubles category delivered intense battles and fierce competition, captivating the audience with remarkable displays of teamwork and skill. Stay tuned for further updates as we continue to witness the incredible performances and thrilling matchups in the APP tour, showcasing the very best of pickleball at the professional level.

In the highly anticipated Men's Pro Doubles category, the top-seeded duo of Andrei Daescu & Rob Nunnery showcased their unrivaled dominance, securing the gold medal and extending Daescu's remarkable streak to five consecutive victories in this division, each time with a different partner. They faced tough competition in the final, once again defeating the #3 seeded team of John Cincola & Brendon Long, whom they had also bested in the winner's bracket final earlier in the weekend.

However, the biggest surprise came from the #15 seeds Jason McNulty & Andre Mick, who made waves by defeating the #2 seeded Johnson brothers in the early rounds. Their impressive performance continued as they fought their way to the consolation bracket final, ultimately claiming the Bronze medal. This achievement marked the first-ever professional medals for both McNulty and Mick, solidifying their place among the pickleball elite.

The final standings in the Men's Pro Doubles category are as follows: Gold - Daescu & Nunnery, Silver - Cincola & Long, and Bronze - McNulty & Mick.

Shifting our attention to the Women's Pro Doubles division, the dynamic pairing of Parris Todd and Simone Jardim continued their unparalleled dominance, securing their fifth consecutive gold medal together on the APP tour in 2023. Their path to victory was far from easy, as they faced tough challenges from the #2 seeded team of Susannah Barr & Megan Fudge. Both the winner's bracket final and the gold medal match required intense tiebreaker battles, showcasing the sheer determination and skill of Todd and Jardim.

Taking home the Bronze medal were the #3 seeds Alix Truong & Milan Rane, who demonstrated their tenacity by defeating the #4 and #5 seeded teams in the back draw. This strong performance solidified their place on the podium, completing a 1-2-3 finish for the seeded teams.

The final standings in the Women's Pro Doubles category are as follows: Gold - Todd & Jardim, Silver - Barr & Fudge, and Bronze - Truong & Rane.

In the Senior Pro Competition, an exciting array of matches unfolded, showcasing the incredible talent and competitiveness among the seasoned players. Stay tuned for a quick recap of the memorable moments and outstanding performances from the senior players in this thrilling category.

· Men’s Senior Pro Singles: Rick Witsken, the top-ranked senior male player on the APP tour in 2022, showcased his exceptional skills and determination, emerging victorious in a thrilling final against the #2 ranked David George. The winner-take-all final game proved to be a test of resilience for Witsken, who claimed his first APP singles gold medal since June 2021.

· Men’s Senior Pro Doubles: Continuing his dominance in the Senior Doubles circuit of 2023, Altaf Merchant teamed up with Witsken to form an unstoppable duo. Together, they stormed through the draw, displaying impeccable teamwork and skill to capture the gold medal.

· Women’s Senior Pro Singles: Sheri Courtier made a remarkable breakthrough, securing her first-ever APP medal by triumphing in the Women's Senior Pro singles draw. Her outstanding performance highlighted her talent and determination in the senior division.

· Women’s Senior Pro Doubles: Beth Bellamy, the top-ranked senior female player on the APP tour in 2022, joined forces with Anna Shirley to create a formidable partnership. Despite the rain-impacted conditions, they showcased their resilience and skill, ultimately claiming the gold medal in the women's senior pro doubles draw.

· Mixed Senior Pro Doubles: Completing an extraordinary weekend, Witsken teamed up with fellow top-ranked senior pro Bellamy in the mixed pro draw. Their combined talents and chemistry propelled them to victory, securing Witsken the coveted triple crown for the weekend.

Up next on the APP Tour is the highly anticipated New York City Open, set to take place in Flushing Meadows over Memorial Day weekend. This marquee event promises thrilling matches and fierce competition as the top players vie for glory.

In addition, the Pickleball Calendar highlights the upcoming PPAPPA +1% event in Atlanta. As an exciting development, I will personally be attending the tournament, bringing you exclusive coverage and capturing inspiring content for future updates in this space.

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