Vietnamese pickleball famous person Luc Pham has introduced himself on the PPA Tour in emphatic trend. The 23‑12 months‑outdated, seeded 14th, toppled reigning champion and prime seed Chris Haworth within the Spherical of 16 on the Price Las Vegas Open, 4‑11, 11‑7, 11‑8. It was a comeback that not solely ended Haworth’s title defence but additionally marked the largest singles win of Pham’s profession thus far.
The match started with Haworth dictating play, his trademark aggression pushing Pham onto the again foot. Dropping the opening sport 4‑11, the underdog appeared in peril of being brushed apart. But Pham responded with composure, leaning on sharp baseline placement and deft touches on the internet to disrupt Haworth’s rhythm. As soon as he discovered his vary, the tide turned. Pham levelled the competition within the second sport and carried that momentum into the decider, closing out the upset with authority.
Constructing Momentum on Tour
This victory isn’t an remoted flash. Since turning skilled in 2025, Pham has steadily climbed the singles rankings, now sitting inside the highest 20. His silver medal on the Ho Chi Minh Metropolis Open earlier this 12 months hinted at his rising credentials, and Las Vegas has now supplied the breakthrough second on American soil.
Pham’s path to the Spherical of 16 was convincing: he swept previous Aanik Lohani 11‑1, 11‑7, and rallied from a sport all the way down to beat Troy Akin 7‑11, 11‑8, 11‑6. Every efficiency strengthened the sense of a participant discovering his stride.
Subsequent up is No. 8 seed John Lucian Goins, a seasoned campaigner who will take a look at Pham’s capacity to again up a marquee win. A victory would propel the Los Angeles‑based mostly professional into his first PPA semi‑closing in the USA—a milestone that might additional cement his rise.
Pham’s schedule stays busy. He’s additionally competing in doubles alongside Mohaned Alhouni, with the pair set to face Goins and Elliott Schupp. However it’s the singles run that has captured consideration, notably after dispatching the No. 1 seed.
Luc Pham: A Title No Longer Below the Radar
For a lot of followers, Pham was nonetheless a comparatively unknown determine earlier than this week, though he did beat one other pickleball powerhouse in Dylan Frazier again in February on the PPA Carvana Mesa Cup—mockingly, the primary PPA Tour occasion Haworth received since leaping ship from the APP to the PPA. That notion about Pham has modified. Haworth, an eight‑time PPA singles champion, hardly ever falters early in tournaments. To beat him in Las Vegas is to make an announcement that can’t be ignored.
Luc Pham might not but have the résumé of the game’s established stars, however he has proven he belongs of their firm. His victory is greater than an upset—it’s a sign {that a} new contender has arrived, and the remainder of the bracket will likely be watching intently.
