A Semi-final Saturday Preview on the PPA Tour

The PPA Tour is trying a new hybrid format in St. George Utah, this weekend. 

In Open level tournaments (1,000 PPA Points to the winners), the schedule is a traditional draw - singles on Thursday, mixed doubles on Friday, gender doubles on Saturday, and then Championship Sunday.

In Cup level (1,500 PPA Points) and Slam level (2,000 PPA Points), the draw is a progressive draw - one round of every event is played per day. So Tuesday is Rd of 64, Wednesday is Rd of 32, Thursday is Rd of 16, Friday is quarterfinals, Saturday is semifinals, and Sunday is still Championship Sunday.

This weekend is a hybrid of both. Wednesday was singles through the quarterfinals, Thursday was mixed doubles through the quarterfinals, Friday was gender doubles through the quarterfinals. Saturday is a whole slate of semifinals and Sunday is still Championship Sunday.

Because we were afforded a semifinal Saturday, I figured I would preview each one of the ten matchups and give predictions as well.

I am going to go match by match in the order they are to be played.

Remember, you can catch all the action on PickleballTV today, starting at 1pm ET.

Let’s get into the action.

(2) Kaitlyn Christian vs. (4) Parris Todd

Rankings & Ratings

• Kaitlyn Christian: Ranked #2 in The Race, #3 in Rankings, and has a 5.958 DUPR
• Parris Todd: Ranked #5 in The Race, #6 in Rankings, and has a 6.117 DUPR

Edge: Even

2025 Medals

• Kaitlyn Christian: 🥇🥇🥈🥈
• Parris Todd: 🥇

Edge: Kaitlyn Christian

History

Christian and Todd have faced off against each other four times, with both players winning twice:

• 2025 - PPA Mesa Cup - Christian won in the quarters 8-11, 12-10, 11-8
• 2025 - PPA Tucson - Todd won in the final 11-2, 11-3
• 2024 - CIBC Finals - Todd won 11-8, 11-5
• 2024 - PPA Austin - Christian won 11-3, 12-10

Edge: Even

X Factor

For me, this one is fairly simple. This matchup is going to come down to serves and serve returns. With the altitude in St. George, I have seen more serve misses than I have at any other tournament. Christian is especially susceptible to serve and serve return errors, so she has to keep this stat close. 

If Kaitlyn Christian can keep her serve and serve return errors to a number less than Parris, I think she wins.

Both women are extreme competitors and won’t give up until the last ball is hit.

Prediction

Kaitlyn Christian wins it in a three game tight match

(2) Hunter Johnson vs. (5) Quang Duong

Rankings & Ratings

• Hunter Johnson: Ranked #4 in The Race, #2 in Rankings, and has a 6.986 DUPR
• Quang Duong: Ranked #10 in The Race, #7 in Rankings, and has a 6.882 DUPR

Edge: Johnson 

2025 Medals

• Hunter Johnson: 🥇🥈
• Quang Duong: 🥉

Edge: Johnson

History

Since the start of 2024, Johnson and Duong have faced each other four times and both players won twice:

• 2025 - PPA Tucson - Hunter won in the quarters 11-5, 11-0 (QD retired)
• 2024 - PPA Rate Championships - Duong won 12-10, 12-10
• 2024 - PPA Texas Open - Hunter won 11-9, 11-6
• 2024 - PPA Red Rock Open - Duong won 11-5, 13-11

Edge: Even

X Factor

Health. Hunter retired recently in a bronze medal match against Jaume Martinez Vich and I believe he is nursing a bit of an ankle injury. Duong retired the last time he played Johnson (Tucson) and has been nursing multiple small injuries it seems. Can both stay healthy throughout the match? 

Hunter stays back more than any other men’s player out there - is he able to keep his world class passing shots on the court in this high altitude? I think he wins if he can.

Prediction

Hunter takes this one in two close games.

(1) Anna Leigh Waters vs. (3) Lea Jansen

Rankings & Ratings

• Anna Leigh Waters: Ranked #1 in The Race, #1 in Rankings, and has a 6.565 DUPR
• Lea Jansen: Ranked #4 in The Race, #5 in Rankings, and has a 5.976 DUPR

Edge: Anna Leigh 

2025 Medals

• Anna Leigh Waters: 🥇🥇🥇🥇
• Lea Jansen: 🥈🥉

Edge: Anna Leigh

History

Since the start of 2024, AL and Lea have faced each other a total of six times. They have faced each other in the last two tournaments:

• 2025 - PPA Texas - AL won in the semis 11-8, 11-6
• 2025 - PPA Cape Coral - AL won in the final 11-3, 11-7
• 2024 - PPA Atlanta Slam - AL won in the semis 11-0, 11-2
• 2024 - PPA North Carolina - AL won in the semis 11-9, 11-9
• 2024 - PPA Mesa Cup - AL won in the semis 11-5, 11-3
• 2024 - PPA Masters - AL won in the semis 11-2, 11-7

Edge: Anna Leigh

X Factor

The altitude. The ball is going to be flying due to both the altitude and relative coolness when they play. Can both women adjust?

Because this was such a small draw, both women only had to play two matches to make the semis. Both women looked fresh and ready for the challenge on Wednesday, so I don’t think fitness will become a factor in this one.

Prediction

Anna Leigh takes this one, but Lea wins a game off of AL for the first time since June of 2023. ALW in three.

(3) Connor Garnett vs. (7) Jack Sock

Rankings & Ratings

• Connor Garnett: Ranked #6 in The Race, #3 in Rankings, and has a 6.867 DUPR
• Jack Sock: Ranked #9 in The Race, #11 in Rankings, and has a 6.778 DUPR

Edge: Garnett 

2025 Medals 

Neither player has a medal in 2025 - one of them will for sure be earning their first medal of the year.

Edge: Even

History

Since the start of 2024, Garnett and Sock have faced each other four times, and Garnett has won three in a row:

• 2025 - PPA Rate Championships - Garnett won 11-9, 11-1
• 2024 - PPA Indoor Championships - Garnett won 3-11, 11-6, 11-7
• 2024 - PPA Mesa Cup - Garnett won 11-2, 11-3
• 2024 - PPA Masters - Sock won 4-11, 11-9, 11-2

Edge: Garnett

X Factor

The start. Garnett is notorious for having slow starts, so Sock needs to capitalize. If Sock can get out to an early lead, I think that spells trouble for Garnett. 

Another item to be on the look for is Sock’s demeanor. If he is having fun and joking with the crowd - lookout. The man seems to be on a mission in Utah, having already upset (1) Federico Staksrud 11-9 in three.

Prediction

Sock pulls off yet another upset in Utah, beating Garnett in two.

(2) Catherine Parenteau/Christian Alshon vs. (4) Hurricane Tyra Black/James Ignatowich

Rankings & Ratings

• Catherine Parenteau: Ranked #5 in The Race, #4 in Rankings, and has a 6.195 DUPR
• Christian Alshon: Ranked #3 in The Race, #3 in Rankings, and has a 7.135 DUPR
• Hurricane Tyra Black: Ranked #4 in The Race, #9 in Rankings, and has a 6.175 DUPR
• James Ignatowich: Ranked #9 in The Race, #5 in Rankings, and has a 6.716 DUPR

Edge: Catherine and Christian

2025 Medals

• Catherine Parenteau: 🥈🥉
• Christian Alshon: 🥈🥉🥉
• Hurricane Tyra Black: 🥈🥉
• James Ignatowich: None

Edge: Catherine and Christian

History

These two teams have never played each other since Tyra and James is a new partnership.

What is interesting is that Alshon has won his three medals this year with both Tyra and Catherine. He won a silver and bronze with Tyra and a bronze with Catherine. 

Edge: Even

X Factor

Can James Ignatowich keep his level up on Saturday? Out of the four players on the court in this one, Ignatowich has the lowest floor. He hasn’t had much success recently, but looks to be playing very well in Utah. 

In their three matches they played thus far, Black and Ignatowich have won by a combined score of 66-19. Their last two matches were both 11-3, 11-3, and were against Humberg/Klinger and Rohrabacher/Patriquin.

Prediction

Catherine and Christian keep the pace slow and find their spots, winning in three games.

(1) Jorja & JW Johnson vs. (6) Parris Todd/Dekel Bar

Rankings & Ratings

• Jorja Johnson: Ranked #2 in The Race, #2 in Rankings, and has a 6.283 DUPR
• JW Johnson: Ranked #2 in The Race, #2 in Rankings, and has a 7.156 DUPR
• Parris Todd: Ranked #29 in The Race, #19 in Rankings, and has a 6.018 DUPR
• Dekel Bar: Ranked #6 in The Race, #5 in Rankings, and has a 6.757 DUPR

Edge: Jorja and JW

2025 Medals

• Jorja Johnson: 🥇🥇🥈
• JW Johnson: 🥇🥈
• Parris Todd: None
• Dekel Bar: 🥈🥉

Edge: Jorja and JW

History

These two teams have never played each other since Parris and Dekel is a first time partnership.

Edge: Even

X Factor

Can Dekel Bar be a huge presence in the middle without overplaying. The big man from Israel likes to play a very chaotic mixed doubles. Yesterday we saw him do a backhand Erne and stay off the court and hit the next ball with his forehand for a winner. Anything is possible for him. Sometimes he tries to get too big and overplays.

The other thing to watch is which team is starting fire fights first? If it is Parris and Dekel, I think that spells disaster. Usually, players want to be the first to initiate a firefight because the odds are in their favor. Not so with the Johnson siblings. JW is the best counterer in the world, and will punish Parris if she tries to speed up at him too much.

Prediction

Jorja and JW win this in two games.

(1) Catherine Parenteau/Anna Leigh Waters vs. (15) Christa Gecheva/Kaitlyn Christian

Rankings & Ratings

• Catherine Parenteau: Ranked #2 in The Race, #2 in Rankings, and has a 6.195 DUPR
• Anna Leigh Waters: Ranked #1 in The Race, #1 in Rankings, and has a 6.698 DUPR
• Christa Gecheva: Ranked #22 in The Race, #70 in Rankings, and has a 5.683 DUPR
• Kaitlyn Christian: Ranked #42 in The Race, #34 in Rankings, and has a 5.729 DUPR

Edge: Catherine and Anna Leigh

2025 Medals

• Catherine Parenteau: 🥇🥇🥇🥇🥉
• Anna Leigh Waters: 🥇🥇🥇🥇🥇🥉
• Christa Gecheva: None
• Kaitlyn Christian: None

Edge: Catherine and Christian

History

These two teams have never played each other since Christa and Kaitlyn is a new partnership.

Edge: Even

X Factor

Gecheva and Christian are going to have to make very close to zero unforced errors. Any missed serves, returns, thirds, and easy missed dinks are going to be disastrous.

They played very well to get here, beating Tyra and Jorja in two, and then beating the Brascia sisters in two.

Prediction

Catherine and Anna Leigh come out swinging and win this in two quick games.

(1) Hayden Patriquin/Federico Staksrud vs. (4) CJ Klinger/JW Johnson

Rankings & Ratings

• Hayden Patriquin: Ranked #6 in The Race, #4 in Rankings, and has a 6.949 DUPR
• Federico Staksrud: Ranked #4 in The Race, #2 in Rankings, and has a 6.972 DUPR
• CJ Klinger: Ranked #7 in The Race, #16 in Rankings, and has a 6.719 DUPR
• JW Johnson: Ranked #14 in The Race, #5 in Rankings, and has a 7.156 DUPR

Edge: Hayden and Fed

2025 Medals

• Hayden Patriquin: 🥈🥈🥉🥉🥉
• Federico Staksrud: 🥈🥈🥈🥈🥉
• CJ Klinger: 🥇🥈🥉
• JW Johnson: 🥈🥉

Edge: Hayden and Fed

History

These two teams have never played each other. 

However, some recent insights:

• CJ and JW lost to Fed and Alshon in Texas two weeks ago, 7-11, 8-11
• CJ and JW beat Hayden and Gabe in Cape Coral three weeks ago, 11-7, 8-11, 11-7
• CJ and Andrei beat Hayden and Fed in Daytona at the end of 2024, 11-2, 4-11, 11-7

Edge: Even

X Factor

CJ Klinger. Klinger is arguably the best lefty in the game and usually rises to the occasion. He already has two medals on the tour with two different players. If CJ can stay patient and pull on the right occasion, I like their chances. If he gets antsy and starts speeding things up that he shouldn’t, I think Fed punishes him.

Prediction

CJ and JW win in a very entertaining three game match.

(2) Parris Todd/Rachel Rohrabacher vs. (4) Allyce Jones/Etta Tuionetoa

Rankings & Ratings

• Parris Todd: Ranked #9 in The Race, #10 in Rankings, and has a 6.018 DUPR
• Rachel Rohrabacher: Ranked #5 in The Race, #3 in Rankings, and has a 6.108 DUPR
• Allyce Jones: Ranked #7 in The Race, #8 in Rankings, and has a 5.779 DUPR
• Etta Tuionetoa: Ranked #14 in The Race, #15 in Rankings, and has a 6.062 DUPR

Edge: Parris and Rachel

2025 Medals

• Parris Todd: 🥇🥉
• Rachel Rohrabacher: 🥈🥈🥈🥈
• Allyce Jones: 🥈🥉
• Etta Tuionetoa: 🥈

Edge: Parris and Rachel

History

These two teams have never played each other since they are both new partnerships.

Edge: Even

X Factor

Can Allyce Jones keep up the firepower with Parris and Rachel? Allyce is well known for her unbelievable defense and is a tenacious competitor. However, she doesn’t hit the ball the hardest. 

I think Allyce is going to see the vast majority of the balls, and she can stay steady and give Etta opportunities to create offense, they have a chance. 

Prediction

Parris and Rachel win in two close games.

(2) Christian Alshon/Andrei Daescu vs. (3) Dylan Frazier/Dekel Bar

Rankings & Ratings

• Christian Alshon: Ranked #3 in The Race, #9 in Rankings, and has a 7.135 DUPR
• Andrei Daescu: Ranked #1 in The Race, #5 in Rankings, and has a 7.073 DUPR
• Dylan Frazier: Ranked #11 in The Race, #8 in Rankings, and has a 6.9 DUPR
• Dekel Bar: Ranked #11 in The Race, #10 in Rankings, and has a 6.757 DUPR

Edge: Christian and Andrei

2025 Medals

• Christian Alshon: 🥇🥇🥈🥈🥉
• Andrei Daescu: 🥇🥇🥇🥇🥉
• Dylan Frazier: 🥈🥉
• Dekel Bar: None

Edge: Christian and Andrei

History

These two teams have never played each other because Dylan and Dekel is a new partnership.

Edge: Even

X Factor

The hands battle between Dekel and Christian. I think this is going to be a slow paced match. We saw some fireworks yesterday in the Andrei/Christian vs. Quang/Hunter match. I don’t think we will see that in this one. I think the hands are too good from all four players to have this be a speedup fest. There will be long dink rallies with well constructed points. I think whoever wins more hands battles between Dekel and Christian wins the match.

Prediction

Andrei and Christian take this one in two very tight games.