The Professional Pickleball Association (PPA) returned to Las Vegas for the 2024 Guaranteed Rate Las Vegas Open, marking the seventh time the tour has visited the city. Known for its warm desert climate and enthusiastic crowds, Vegas has become a favored destination for pickleball events. The Darling Tennis Center hosted this year’s tournament, which brought intense competition under the unforgiving sun. With a variety of high-profile events already held in the city, from the World Pickleball Conference to the DUPR Collegiate Super Regional, Las Vegas has cemented itself as a premier stop for the sport.
Men’s Pro Singles: Duong’s Breakthrough
In the men’s pro singles, the spotlight was on Quang Duong, who seized his moment to shine. Ben Johns, typically a strong contender, has faced several early-round defeats in 2024, and this event proved no different. Despite his strong ranking, Johns was upset by Roscoe Bellamy, who came from behind to secure the win. This loss adds to Johns’ growing list of early exits this season, though he remains a formidable opponent with a 4-0 record against the top-ranked Federico Staksrud.
On the other side of the draw, Duong navigated a smoother path, with key players like #4 Tyson McGuffin and #5 Alshon withdrawing at the last minute. This allowed #30 Michael Loyd to step up, eventually facing Duong in the semifinals after Bellamy retired from the competition. Duong’s performance continued to impress as he earned his spot in the final. In the final match, Duong overcame Connor Garnett in a thrilling contest, securing his first-ever professional singles title.
Men’s Singles Results
Gold: Quang Duong
Silver: Connor Garnett
Bronze: Federico Staksrud
Women’s Pro Singles: Fahey’s Grit Shines
The women’s singles event took an unexpected turn when top seed Anna Leigh Waters withdrew late in the tournament. With Waters out, Kate Fahey, ranked #9, capitalized on the opportunity. Fahey faced tough competition, but after defeating #6 Kaitlyn Christian in a three-game quarterfinal, she cruised past Ava Ignatowich to reach the semifinals. There, Fahey faced Genie Bouchard, who had upset #3 Lea Jansen and #12 Liz Trulock. Despite Bouchard’s best efforts, Fahey held her ground, winning in a hard-fought match.
In the bottom half of the draw, #2 Catherine Parenteau and #4 Brooke Buckner played solid games to reach the semifinals. Buckner, coming off a strong performance from the previous event, continued her impressive form by defeating Parenteau in a tight match. In the final, Fahey overcame a first-game loss to beat Buckner in a nail-biting match, securing her second gold medal on the tour.
Women’s Singles Results
Gold: Kate Fahey
Silver: Brooke Buckner
Bronze: Catherine Parenteau
Mixed Pro Doubles: Familiar Faces Dominate
The mixed doubles event saw some surprising twists on the way to the finals. Despite the appearance of the top seeds in the medal matches, the earlier rounds were anything but predictable. Quang Duong and Allyce Jones, a newly paired team, made an impressive run, taking out higher-seeded opponents before falling to #1 seeds Ben Johns and Anna Leigh Waters in a close quarterfinal match.
Other teams, like Meghan Dizon & Andrei Daescu and Jack Sock & Lea Jansen, also made their mark with notable wins before bowing out to stronger opponents. Ultimately, the semifinals brought back familiar faces. Johns and Waters, who have become a dominant force in mixed doubles, faced off against the Johnson siblings, Jorja and JW, for the sixth time since last August. After dropping the first game, Johns and Waters rallied back, improving throughout the match to secure yet another mixed doubles title together.
Mixed Doubles Results
Gold: Ben Johns & Anna Leigh Waters
Silver: JW & Jorja Johnson
Bronze: Christian Alshon & Etta Wright
—
The PPA Vegas Open showcased thrilling matches and unforgettable performances, further cementing the city’s status as a hub for elite pickleball action. With emerging stars like Quang Duong and established champions like Anna Leigh Waters continuing to push the boundaries of the sport, the competition in 2024 is heating up.