“Top Pickleball Players Set to Face Off in Bristol Open Championship”
No. 1 vs. No. 2 Showdown Set for Bristol Open Pickleball Championship
BRISTOL, Tenn. — The stage is set for an epic battle for the title of Bristol Open men’s champion as the top two pickleball players in the world, Federico Staksrud and Ben Johns, will face off on Sunday at the Bristol SportsPlex.
Both Staksrud and Johns dominated the singles portion of the Carvana Professional Pickleball Association’s IHG Hotels & Resorts Bristol Open, each winning four matches on Thursday. While Johns holds the top spot in mixed doubles and men’s doubles rankings, Staksrud is ranked just one position below him. Despite this, Johns has a perfect 4-0 record against Staksrud this season, setting the stage for an intense showdown on Sunday.
The competition is fierce on the women’s side as well, with No. 5 Brooke Buckner and No. 6 Kaitlyn Christian advancing to the championship finals in the absence of 17-year-old pickleball sensation Anna Leigh Waters. Buckner, who recently claimed the singles title in Kansas City, expressed her excitement at the high level of competition in the tournament.
The Bristol Open has attracted top talent from across the nation, with matches being played on 13 outdoor courts at the Bristol SportsPlex. The tournament is part of the PPA Tour schedule, which includes events in cities like Salt Lake City, Las Vegas, and Atlanta before culminating in Daytona Beach, Fla., in December.
Players like Staksrud and Johns are relishing the opportunity to compete at such a high level, with Staksrud emphasizing the mental aspect of the game and Johns highlighting the importance of efficiency in play.
As the championship matches in men’s and women’s singles, men’s and women’s doubles, and mixed doubles approach on Sunday, pickleball fans can expect an exciting conclusion to the Bristol Open. Stay tuned for more updates and results from this thrilling tournament.
