Neither Ben nor Colin Johns had their best level on Saturday in Cincinnati, but once again they proved why they remain the best team in the world, and the team to beat for the foreseeable future. With Colin less than 100% health-wise after twisting his ankle just over a month ago at the Takeya Showcase in Fountain Valley, CA, the Johns Brothers had to win the hard way.
If you consider yourself a Pickleball fan, please do yourself a favor and watch the entirety of the Men’s Doubles Quarterfinal between Ben and Colin Johns vs. Federico Staksrud and Pablo Tellez. Why the Johns Brothers consistently face Staksrud and Tellez—undoubtedly one of the best teams in the world and more than deserving of a higher seed— is a question for another day.
But there is perhaps more to learn from a high-level Pickleball perspective in this match than any other match this year. This was a game of constant adjustments from a strategy perspective, with both teams constantly changing tactics in order to keep their opponents off-balance and out of rhythm.
It was by no means the prettiest match, nor the highest level, but it was certainly one to remember due to its pressure-packed moments, and seemingly never-ending 50-100 shot rallies. This was gritty, tense, (sometimes ugly), but wildly entertaining Pickleball.
Staksrud/Tellez found themselves up early after a shockingly slow start from Colin, who missed a handful of uncharacteristic easy dinks and returns. After dropping game one 15-13, the Johns Brothers stormed back to take the second game 11-4. Staksrud and Tellez had plenty of chances to finish the job, but none more important than up 10-7-2 in the final game. The Brothers saved a match point, then reeled off five points to win it. It was a heartbreaking loss for the South American tandem.
“Bittersweet feeling today. We gave everything we had, but this is a long journey,” Staksrud said in an Instagram post after the match.
In the following semifinal, the Johns Brothers once again dropped the first game to the brand-new duo of Riley Newman and Thomas Wilson. After shuffling through a few partners, it seems Newman may have found his new running-mate in Wilson, who played phenomenal right-side Pickleball, with extremely solid defense combined with his insane ability to generate pace off the speed-ups. For a first-time pairing to reach the semifinals is no small feat, as most first-time pairings struggle mightily as they figure out what does and does not work in terms of strategy and court positioning.
Wilson and Newman had their share of legitimate chances as well. Up a game and tied at 10-10-2, they were unable to close the door on the GOATS, lost game two, and got down early in game three. It’s not impossible to beat the Johns Brothers in a deciding third game, but it certainly seems that winning in two is by far the best option. Once Colin slides right, with his unfathomably good backhand reset, combined with Ben dictating play from the other 70% of the court, the options are just too limited, and perfect pickleball (and a few net cords) are needed to win.
Saturday was a perfect example of why Ben and Colin are the best team in the world. They were nowhere near their best level but found a way to gut out two consecutive comeback victories with their backs pressed firmly against the wall. It was a masterclass not in execution, but in how to compete and strategize under maximum pressure.
Watch the Men’s Doubles Semifinal Match below.
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