OVERALL TOP 5:
- RACING STRIPES: Just 4 tourneys left in the race to the Finals – who will move up the rankings?
- ‘SUP BRO?: Johns Brothers reclaimed the #1 seed with their win in Atlanta, can they go back-to back?
- AND…2: ALW and CP lost for just the second time in Atlanta – revenge will be on their mind.
- VIRGINIA IS FOR…PICKLERS: First PPA Tour visit to “Old Dominion” – one of the state’s many nicknames.
- PROGRESS REPORT: Each discipline will be battled out every day, one round per day, leading to Championship Sunday.
VENUE/TOURNEY/TV:
- Event #19 of the year and first ever trip to Virginia Beach.
- No defending medalists.
- Broadcast start times are 11am Eastern Wednesday through Sunday.
- Full coverage on Pickleball TV (Prime Video, Roku, Samsung TV Plus, LG, and many more).
WOMEN’S SINGLES:
- Atlanta Slam finalists Waters (1) and Todd (7) could meet in the quarters.
- Potential round of 16 matchups include: (3) Jansen vs. (14) Johnson, Castillo (8) vs. Fahey (11)
- Parenteau (2) is back after skipping singles in ATL, seeking her first win of the year.
- WATCH OUT FOR: Kate Fahey (11) – has moved into 10th place in the Race Rankings – but will she run out of tourneys to qualify for the Finals (top 8 make it)?
MEN’S SINGLES:
- Hunter Johnson arrives in Virginia with his highest seed (10) thanks to his win at the Atlanta Slam.
- Ben Johns (2) is in singles after withdrawing mid-match in Atlanta due to an ankle injury.
- Goldin (16) who was playing Johns when he withdrew could meet him again in the Round of 16.
- Will Alshon (5) play or be forced to scratch just singles due to injury?
- WATCH OUT FOR: JW Johnson (9) – had a strong run to the semis in Atlanta.
MIXED DOUBLES:
- Waters and Johns (1) sit just two individual match wins shy of 200.
- Bright/Daescu (3) play together for just the 2nd time – won in Austin beating ALW/Ben in 3 straight games in the final.
- Parenteau and Alshon (4) back together for tourney #4 – only previous losses are to ALW/Ben.
- Tardio and Irvine (9) look to keep their strong run of mixed alive – Irvine is above the Finals cut line but Tardio is below and needs a strong showing in Va Beach.
- WATCH OUT FOR: David and Frazier (6) – tough section of the draw with ALW/Johns in their quarter, but can they make a run?
WOMEN’S DOUBLES:
- Girlies (Bright and Rohrabacher) roar into Virginia Beach as the 2 seed and with the Atlanta Slam title victory over Waters and Parenteau (1).
- OGs Irvine/Tereschenko (10) looking to do damage, could face Todd/Jade Kawamoto (8) in the round of 16.
- Round of 32 can’t miss matchup: Wang/Buckner (12) vs. Christian/Fahey (18)
- WATCH OUT FOR: Black and Jones (5): looking to repeat their quarterfinal run in ATL or better, showcasing their defensive prowess and great team chemistry.
MEN’S DOUBLES:
- Tardio and Daescu (5) won back-to-back titles then lost to the Johns in the Atlanta quarters.
- After making 6 finals in a row, Johnson/Frazier (2) have not made the last 4 finals.
- Fun pairings alert: Ignatowich/Alshon (6), Newman/Hewett (9), and Bar/H. Johnson (7)
- WATCH OUT FOR: McGuffin/Martinez Vich (4) – tremendous march to the finals in Atlanta, can they repeat those showstopping moments?