OVERALL TOP 5:
- TRIPLE PLAY: Ben Johns grabbed his first triple crown of 2024 in NC, can he go back-to-back?
- ALW101 WILL HAVE TO WAIT: Anna Leigh Waters and Catherine Parenteau are sitting out the PPA schedule until Atlanta.
- WEEKEND PLANS: Second of 4 straight weekends with PPA tournament action.
- SETTING THE BAR: Dekel Bar looks to continue his hot play with Thomas Wilson and Tina Pisnik as partners.
- HOUSTON, WE HAVE NO PROBLEMS: Exciting debut for the PPA in Houston.
VENUE/TOURNEY/TV:
- Event #7 of the year – one of 15 Opens in 2024, with 1000 points up for grabs for the winners.
- Traditional Draw (singles on Thursday, mixed Friday, women’s and men’s doubles Saturday, finals Sunday).
- No defending medalists as it’s the first tourney in Houston.
- Coverage on Prime Video, PickleballTV, and Tennis Channel (on Sunday).
- Broadcast start times are noon Eastern Thursday through Sunday.
WOMEN’S SINGLES:
- Welcome to the number 1 seed Mary Brascia.
- Can the 2 seed Lea Jansen grab gold after a great battle with ALW in NC?
- Texas was good to Kaitlyn Christian (7) who grabbed silver in Austin – is Houston her final breakthrough?
- WATCH OUT FOR: Parris Todd (6) – her seed will continue to climb as she plays and earns more points.
MEN’S SINGLES:
- Ben Johns (1) looks for a 4th straight title (he skipped Minnesota).
- Youngster Cason Campbell (21), hat askew, looks to make another deep run.
- Martinez Vich (6) vs. Joseph (9) is a potential barnburner of a round of 16 matchup.
- WATCH OUT FOR: Federico Staksrud (2) – unbelievable consistency – can he make a 7th consecutive singles final?
MIXED DOUBLES:
- Bright/Ignatowich (1) look to rebound from a disappointing performance in Cary, NC.
- Dizon and Bellamy (16) have lots of firepower – is this Roscoe’s breakthrough?
- Maggie Brascia and Julian Arnold (13) – Maggie arrives in Houston after a semifinal run in mixed in NC with Todd Fought.
- WATCH OUT FOR: Former Seattle Pioneer partners and MLP Champions Etta Wright and Ben Johns (2) as they reunite.
WOMEN’S DOUBLES:
- Rachel Rohrabacher and Anna Bright (1) were upset in NC but carry the 1 into Houston.
- Lacy Schneemann, finalist in NC, pairs with fellow California resident Jessie Irvine (5).
- Callie Smith and Lucy Kovalova (2) – separate over the last few tourneys but back together.
- WATCH OUT FOR: Vivienne David/Jackie Kawamoto (4) – great blend of offense and defense that could challenge for a title.
MEN’S DOUBLES:
- Connor Garnett and new dad DJ Young could dazzle as the 6 seed.
- Interesting 4 seed in Yates Johnson and Dylan Frazier.
- Wright/Ignatowich (2) have yet to reach a final – will this be the one?
- WATCH OUT FOR: Dekel Bar and Thomas Wilson, two Austin area natives looking for gold down the road in Houston.
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