PPA Desert Ridge Open Providing Plenty of Upsets and Surprises

Winds played tricks on players all day during Singles Day at the PPA Desert Ridge Open on Thursday.

A storm is brewing in the valley that will cause some weather challenges as we head into the weekend, and winds created havoc on the pickleball courts on Thursday at the JW Marriott. At one point, in the last match of the day, Mary Brascia actually looked like she was getting blown away by the wind.

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A few storylines from Day 1:

• The GOAT goes down in three games to Jaume Martinez Vich. Ben Johns was a victim of the swirling winds. While it was his third game, the winds picked up and visibly got Johns rattled. After going down 11-4, Jaume Martinez Vich won the match 11-5, 11-5. 

• Kaitlyn Christian is really making a name for herself. The No. 22 seed beat Salome Devidze in three games, 8-11, 14-12, and 11-8. She then handily beat the No. 6 seed Brooke Buckner, 11-5, 11-4. Christian showed a ton of mental fortitude and I am looking out for her to be a top 5 woman in singles by the end of the year. 

• Will Howells made it to the round of 16 as the No. 47 seed. I watched Howells throughout the qualifiers on Wednesday and then he beat Ryan Sherry in three games. Yes, he lost to Federico Staksrud in two, but this guy is an up and comer, who is super athletic, precise on shots, and brings a very unique energy with him onto the court.

Results:

• Jaume Martinez Vich (8 seed) plays Federico Staksrud (2 seed) on Championship Sunday. McGuffin and Devilliers are playing for bronze.
• ALW (1 seed) will play the winner of Mary Brascia (3 seed) and Lea Jansen (2 seed) after a delay in their match due to rain. Brascia will pick up the match with a one game advantage. Kaitlyn Christian (22 seed) will play the loser of the Brascia/Jansen match for bronze.

We hope the weather holds off on Friday for mixed doubles day. Check out our complete preview of the event and stay tuned to Pickleball TV on Amazon Prime to watch all the action.