The Cincinnati Showcase has been extremely entertaining to date – upsets, water bottles being kicked, a pickleball was despatched into a unique universe, and extra.
Paddle certification points have been the discuss of the city, because the UPA-A enforced its September 1st deadline (that was set in January).
Alex E. Weaver put collectively a terrific article explaining the scenario earlier within the week:
Dissecting All of the Paddle Drama at PPA Cincinnati
Many high professionals are left questioning whether or not they can play their very own paddles. All of it comes all the way down to the UPA-A’s new certification requirements, and the way paddle manufacturers selected to play the sport.
Enjoyable details in regards to the Cincinnati Showcase
In my preview articles, I all the time give predictions for the 4 semifinalists, and this week I used to be right in 13 of 20 semifinalists.
Anna Leigh Waters is the one participant nonetheless alive for a doable triple crown. Nonetheless, Christian Alshon, Catherine Parenteau, Jorja Johnson, JW Johnson, Ben Johns, Gabe Tardio, Anna Vivid, and Andrei Daescu are all looking for two medals.
Newly UPA signed Chris Haworth is the 57 seed on this occasion, however he’s the one participant or partnership seeded worse than seventh to make the semifinals this week.
All 5 primary seeds are nonetheless alive. The final time all 5 primary seeds received a whole occasion? The PPA Masters, in January 2025. Anna Leigh triple topped with Ben and Catherine, Ben received males’s doubles with Collin, and Federico received singles. That was the final match Fed received a singles occasion, as effectively.
Let’s get into the matchups.
Matchup Preview with Predictions
All matches are listed within the order of play
*Word: All odds listed for Kalshi odds are as of Saturday morning at 10am ET.
(1) Anna Leigh Waters v (7) Catherine Parenteau
Approximate time: 10am ET
Matchup historical past: Anna Leigh is successful the head-to-head matchup 16-1, and the one win for Catherine got here in March 2023
Kalshi odds of successful the match:
- Anna Leigh Waters – 90%
- Catherine Parenteau – 4%
Catherine’s kryptonite in singles is Anna Leigh. Catherine obtained to the semis in a withdrawal from Parris Todd yesterday.
Prediction: Anna Leigh wins in two, and Catherine will get not more than 10 factors mixed
(1) Hunter Johnson v (6) Christian Alshon
Approximate time: 10:45am ET
Matchup historical past: Alshon narrowly leads the head-to-head matchup, 2-1. Nonetheless, a kind of wins got here in 2023. Alshon beat Johnson within the quarterfinals of the Bristol Open in August, which was their final conflict.
Kalshi odds of successful the match:
- Hunter Johnson – 44%
- Christian Alshon – 19%
Johnson can be out for some revenge from the loss in Bristol and each guys are taking part in very effectively. This matchup goes to see a whole lot of Christian on the web, with Hunter on the baseline hitting passing photographs.
Prediction: Hunter takes this one in three video games
(3) Kate Fahey v (6) Lea Jansen
Approximate time: 11:30am ET
Matchup historical past: Kate Fahey is 6-0 in opposition to Lea Jansen all-time
Kalshi odds of successful the match:
- Kate Fahey – 8%
- Lea Jansen – 4%
As I used to be placing collectively the head-to-head stats, I used to be shocked that Kate is 6-0 in opposition to Lea. Lea performed effectively yesterday to beat Kaitlyn Christian in two video games yesterday to earn her spot right here. I believe an enormous issue on this one is who will get off to a warmer begin – each girls are nice rivals, so gaining a lead early can be large.
Prediction: I’m taking Kate to win this one in a really shut first recreation, adopted by a runaway second recreation
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(3) Connor Garnett v (57) Chris Haworth
Approximate time: 12:15pm ET
Matchup historical past: Connor Garnett narrowly leads the head-to-head matchup, 2-1. Nonetheless, it has been over a 12 months since their final matchup, so I’m not certain how related the head-to-head historical past is.
Kalshi odds of successful the match:
- Connor Garnett – 18%
- Chris Haworth – 31%
Haworth will not be taking part in together with his regular Babolat paddle this week, because of the stricter laws, however he’s nonetheless successful. He beat Zane Navratil, Jack Sock, and Federico Staksrud to make the semis. The final time Connor made a Championship Sunday was about 4 months in the past in Atlanta, so he’s seeking to punch his ticket. Haworth is doing his greatest to do away with that 57 seed, and a couple of,000 factors at this Slam would go a good distance there.
Prediction: Haworth wins in two shut video games
(2) Jorja and JW Johnson v (4) Anna Vivid/Andrei Daescu
Approximate time: 1pm ET
Matchup historical past: Jorja and JW beat Anna and Andrei of their solely matchup in opposition to one another in August in PPA Bristol within the semis, 11-2, 11-9.
Kalshi odds of successful the match:
- Jorja and JW Johnson – 95%
- Anna Vivid/Andrei Daescu – 17%
I do know each Anna Vivid and Andrei Daescu HATE dropping. I believe revenge is on their thoughts for the loss in Bristol final month and they’re going to come out firing. Andrei has not had his greatest stuff this weekend, with the paddle points, and actually must step up his recreation on this one. JW and Jorja simply have to climate that early storm of vitality from Anna and Andrei. The longer this one goes, the bigger probability JW and Jorja have of successful.
Prediction: JW and Jorja win in an exhilarating three recreation match
(1) Anna Leigh Waters/Ben Johns v (7) Jessie Irvine/Gabe Tardio
Approximate time: 1:45pm ET
Matchup historical past: ALW and Ben are 5-0 of their profession in opposition to Gabe and Jessie, and have by no means misplaced a recreation.
Kalshi odds of successful the match:
- Anna Leigh Waters and Ben Johns – 88%
- Jessie Irvine and Gabe Tardio – 5%
Ben is taking part in in opposition to his males’s doubles accomplice in Gabe, which is all the time intriguing. Nonetheless, Gabe and Jessie have by no means even taken a recreation off Ben and Anna Leigh, and I don’t suppose that begins immediately.
Prediction: Ben and Anna Leigh in two video games
(2) Parris Todd/Catherine Parenteau v (4) Jorja Johnson/Hurricane Tyra Black
Approximate time: 2:30pm ET
Matchup historical past: Jorja and Tyra beat Catherine and Parris of their solely matchup in opposition to each other within the Las Vegas Strip Open two weeks in the past within the finals, 11-7, 11-5, Sept. 11, 11-9.
Kalshi odds of successful the match:
- Parris Todd/Catherine Parenteau – 6%
- Jorja Johnson/Hurricane Tyra Black – 20%
This was a detailed matchup in Vegas and all 4 girls are taking part in effectively proper now. I fear a bit about Parris, who withdrew from singles. I’m not sure if it’s a well being factor, or an harm factor. I believe Jorja and Tyra deliver an excessive amount of firepower to this one, even with Tyra taking part in with a unique paddle.
Prediction: Jorja and Tyra win in two shut video games.
(2) Federico Staksrud/Hayden Patriquin v (3) Christian Alshon/Andrei Daescu
Approximate time: 3:15pm ET
Matchup historical past: Alshon and Daescu are 3-0 on this matchup, they usually beat Fed and Hayden 12-10, 11-4 in Vegas two weeks in the past.
Kalshi odds of successful the match:
- Federico Staksrud/Hayden Patriquin – 10%
- Christian Alshon/Andrei Daescu – 17%
We have now seen Fed and Hayden switching sides over the previous two tournaments, with Hayden taking part in some on the left. I’d count on that to occur on this one as effectively, as a result of they’re 0-3 in opposition to Andrei and Christian. As I stated earlier than, Andrei is rather less constant this week with a brand new paddle, so I count on to see him focused on all of the thirds and on the kitchen line.
Prediction: Fed and Hayden are capable of win in a 3 recreation battle
(1) Anna Vivid/Anna Leigh Waters v (6) Jade and Jackie Kawamoto
Approximate time: 4pm ET
Matchup historical past: These two partnerships have by no means confronted off in opposition to one another.
Kalshi odds of successful the match:
- Anna Vivid/Anna Leigh Waters – 81%
- Jade and Jackie Kawamoto – 4%
It’s bizarre that these partnerships have by no means confronted one another, however this needs to be a very good one. I imagine the Kawamotos are taking part in with JOOLA paddles this week, however the query stays – can they discover sufficient offense to make some noise? I count on the Kawamotos to hurry up at AB every time they attempt to discover their very own offense, and in the event that they don’t select the proper time, this one might get away from them.
Prediction: AB and Anna Leigh win comfortably in two video games
(1) Gabe Tardio/Ben Johns v (4) CJ Klinger/JW Johnson
Approximate time: 4:45pm ET
Matchup historical past: These partnerships are 1-1 in opposition to one another. Ben and Gabe beat CJ and JW in two in April in North Carolina. Extra not too long ago, JW and CJ beat Ben and Gabe within the Atlanta Open Finals, 11-9, 11-9, 11-7.
Kalshi odds of successful the match:
- Gabe Tardio/Ben Johns – 64%
- CJ Klinger/JW Johnson – 17%
Enjoying Ben Johns after having beat him within the final occasion you confronted off in opposition to one another is rarely actually a recipe for achievement. Gabe and Ben have received three tournaments since their loss to CJ and JW. JW and CJ have a ceiling that rivals Gabe and Ben, however their flooring is unquestionably decrease. They’re going to want to remain constant tonight on this marquee matchup to have a shot.
Prediction: Ben and Gabe win in a 3 recreation match
Photograph credit score for the header graphic courtesy of the PPA Tour.
