Have you ever watched a professional pickleball match and wondered what separates the good players from the truly great ones? The PPA Las Vegas mixed doubles championship match, featuring Anna Leigh Waters & Ben Johns against Hayden Patriquin & Anna Bright, showcased exactly what it takes to perform at the highest level. This thrilling contest was a masterclass in strategic pickleball play, culminating in Anna Bright and Hayden Patriquin dethroning the reigning champions.
Understanding High-Stakes Mixed Doubles Pickleball
Mixed doubles pickleball brings a unique set of challenges and opportunities. Teams must balance the strengths of both partners, often one male and one female player, to cover the court effectively. Players like Anna Leigh Waters and Ben Johns are known as “the goats” for a reason, possessing incredible skill and chemistry. However, their opponents, Hayden Patriquin and Anna Bright, demonstrated how careful strategy and execution can overcome even the most formidable teams.
Watching the PPA Las Vegas Championship highlights above, you’ll notice many nuanced plays. Every shot, from the serve to the dink, is designed with a specific purpose. Professional players are not just hitting the ball; they are constantly strategizing, anticipating their opponents’ next move, and looking for weaknesses.
The Art of the Lob Serve and Strategic Returns
The match began with an interesting strategic move: Anna Leigh Waters utilizing a lob serve. A lob serve sends the ball high and deep into the opponent’s court, aiming to disrupt their return tempo and positioning. This particular strategy was effective, as the commentators noted that the team had been practicing how to make the lob serve a problem for opponents all day.
However, an effective serve is only as good as the return it receives. Hayden Patriquin, known for his quickness, demonstrated powerful “roped returns” that put immediate pressure back on Anna Leigh and Ben. A roped return is a shot hit with significant pace, often making it difficult for opponents to manage the bounce and set up their next shot. Mastering both the serve and the return is fundamental in high-level pickleball.
The Dink Game: Patience and Precision at the Net
Perhaps no shot defines professional pickleball as much as the dink. A dink is a soft shot hit from the non-volley zone (the kitchen) that lands just over the net, typically in the opponent’s non-volley zone. It forces opponents to hit up on the ball, creating opportunities for powerful attacks.
Anna Bright showcased exceptional dinking skills, including an “inside-out backhand dink” that kept her opponents guessing. This advanced dink makes the ball curve away from the opponent, often leaving them stretched and vulnerable. Even when she admitted to a few “miss-dinks” in crucial moments, her overall creativity in the short game was a major factor. In contrast, even top players like Ben Johns can face challenges with net play on a given day, proving that consistency under pressure is paramount.
Speedups and Defensive Neutralizing: Winning the Rally
While dinking sets up points, “speedups” are often what finish them. A speedup is a sudden, powerful shot hit from a dink rally, designed to catch opponents off guard. The commentators repeatedly emphasized the incredible defense and “neutralizing” from both teams, noting “five or more speedups in the same point” on multiple occasions. Neutralizing involves taking an aggressive shot from an opponent and returning it softly or defensively to reset the rally, preventing them from gaining an advantage.
Hayden Patriquin was particularly adept at “shutting down” speedups directed at the back shoulder. This means he was able to absorb powerful shots and either defend them effectively or counter with precision. This ability to defend against speedups and reset the point is a hallmark of elite pickleball. It shows remarkable hand-eye coordination and tactical awareness.
Dynamic Court Positioning and Aggressive Offense
Court positioning is another critical aspect that separates pros. Anna Bright demonstrated “dynamic positioning,” constantly moving to anticipate whether she needed to be on offense or defense. This intuitive reading of the game allows players to react quickly and choose the optimal shot.
Furthermore, the match featured advanced shots like the ATP, or “Around The Post.” An ATP is a spectacular shot hit around the outside of the net post, often from wide on the court, which can be a game-changer. Hayden Patriquin executed an ATP perfectly, leaving his opponents with little chance to return. Strategic “poaching,” where a player crosses into their partner’s side of the court to hit a ball, also requires excellent communication and timing, as opponents will often try to “warn” by hitting at the poacher.
The Significance of a Championship Victory
The PPA Las Vegas Championship victory was especially meaningful for Anna Bright and Hayden Patriquin. This win marked their third mixed doubles gold medal together on the Carvana PPA Tour. For Hayden, it was a special win as it coincided with his 21st birthday in Las Vegas. Anna Bright also added her 41st career title, a testament to her consistent performance.
This match was not an easy journey, as Anna Bright mentioned they went to three games in every single match leading up to the final. This illustrates the mental toughness required to compete at the professional level. Defeating “the goats,” Anna Leigh Waters and Ben Johns, who were on the cusp of Anna Leigh’s 200th title, made this PPA Las Vegas Championship even more memorable. It proved that while experience and reputation are significant, creative strategy, relentless defense, and offensive pressure can shift the balance in any pro pickleball match.
Match Point Musings: Your PPA Las Vegas Championship Q&A
What is this article discussing?
This article describes the championship match of the PPA Las Vegas mixed doubles pickleball tournament, where Anna Bright and Hayden Patriquin defeated Anna Leigh Waters and Ben Johns.
What does “mixed doubles” mean in pickleball?
Mixed doubles pickleball is a game format where each team consists of one male and one female player who compete together.
What is a “dink” shot in pickleball?
A dink is a soft shot hit from near the net that lands just over the net into the opponent’s non-volley zone, forcing them to hit the ball upwards.
What is a “lob serve” in pickleball?
A lob serve is a strategic shot that sends the pickleball high and deep into the opponent’s court, aiming to disrupt their rhythm and court positioning.
What is a “speedup” in pickleball?
A speedup is a sudden, powerful shot hit during a rally, often from a dink exchange, designed to catch opponents off guard and try to win the point.
