OVERALL TOP 5:
- LOUD KNOCKS – Opportunity knocking for the field – no Ben or ALW (& others) in the field.
- I SEE CJ: Collin Johns steps in for the injured Ignatowich to play with Wright and Bright.
- THROUGH THE ROOF: Indoor tournament – different sight lines and pace of play.
- SOCK IT TO ME: Does Jack Sock make his first 2024 final?
- TIME OF YOUR LIFE TIME: 3rd year at this MN Life Time venue just down the road from Life Time HQ
VENUE/TOURNAMENT/TV:
- Event #4 of the year – one of 15 Opens in 2024, with 1000 points up for grabs for the winners.
- Traditional draw (playing singles Thursday, mixed Friday, gender Saturday, Finals Sunday).
- Over 900 amateurs playing.
- All coverage on PickleballTV.
WOMEN’S SINGLES:
- Defending medalists: Catherine Parenteau, Lea Jansen, Salome Devidze
- Parenteau is the top seed and defending champion.
- Parris Todd (15) is capable of a deep run but has an early potential showdown with Jansen (2).
- WATCH OUT FOR: Kaitlyn Christian (12) – medaled at Desert Ridge and her arrow is pointing up – can she hit the podium again?
MEN’S SINGLES:
- Defending medalists: James Ignatowich, JW Johnson, Jay Devilliers
- Aanik Lohani (9) is the local favorite and made the Guaranteed Rate Final in October.
- Jack Sock (11) has entered singles twice and both times was knocked out by Staksrud (1)
- WATCH OUT FOR: Cason Campbell (22) – teen sensation with 5-year-old “lucky” hat made the quarters in Mesa.
MIXED DOUBLES:
- Defending medalists: Parenteau/Ignatowich, Stratman/Arnold, Smith/Frazier
- David/Wilson (1) – how do they respond to the pressure of being the top seed?
- Sock and Parenteau (3) looking to hit the podium for the first time – they get better each event.
- Kovalova and Wright (4) – it’s go time for a decorated veteran team that has not had their desired results in ’24.
- WATCH OUT FOR: Anna Bright/Collin Johns (2): First time partnership – how much will AB play on the left side of the court?
WOMEN’S DOUBLES:
- Defending medalists: Kovalova/Smith, Jansen/Jones, Grechkina/Wright
- With Waters not playing, Parenteau is skipping women’s doubles.
- Kovalova and Smith (1) are the defending champions and top seeds but not at their peak thus far in ’24.
- Rohrabacher and Bright (2) – back together after Rohrabacher’s bridesmaid duties during Mesa.
- WATCH OUT FOR: David/Schneemann (3) – made the Denver final in ’23 – will they make a Sunday return?
MEN’S DOUBLES:
- Defending medalists: Johnson/Frazier, Staksrud/Tellez, Newman/Wright
- Wright/C. Johns are the two seed. Matt looking to get the Johns brothers double as he won KC with Ben in ’23 when CJ was hurt.
- Sock and Arnold (9) – so much talent, so much chirping, so much opportunity.
- Do Tellez/Staksrud (2) return to Championship Sunday as the defending silver medalists?
- WATCH OUT FOR: Alshon and Wilson (3) – tons of firepower, will it lead to the podium?
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