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Two world number ones, Ben Johns and Anna Leigh Waters, secured double victories at the PPA Asia 1000 in Hanoi, delivering performances superior to the rest.
The highlight of the final competition day on April 5 was the mixed doubles championship match, with top-seeded pair Ben Johns and Anna Leigh Waters faced off against Christian Alshon and Kaitlyn Christian.
The legendary duo completely dominated the match. They secured an 11-5, 11-2 victory to claim the title.
Waters (L) and Johns have now won the mixed doubles title in 32 separate PPA Tour events. They continue to hold the record for 16 consecutive wins in this category on the tour system, achieved between March 2023 and February 2024.
Across all categories, the duo has amassed over 300 PPA Tour trophies.
Besides the mixed doubles title, Johns also captured the men's doubles championship alongside young talent Gabe Tardio.
The top-seeded pair defeated prodigy Hayden Patriquin and Federico Staksrud in a tense three-set final with scores of 11-0, 7-11 and 11-6.
Following the win, Johns wore a traditional conical hat and raised the host country's flag to thank the cheering home crowd.
Since partnering in 2025, the pair have reached the men's doubles final in every tournament and have only lost the gold medal twice.
A spectacular tweener shot by Johns during the semi-final stood out as one of the tournament's most memorable moments.
Beyond his impressive record, Johns is renowned for exceptional skills that perfectly blend power, finesse, offense and patience. He has pioneered numerous styles of shots that are now standard in professional pickleball.
Johns created a sensation in Hanoi throughout the tournament. Large crowds of fans lined up at the My Dinh Athletes Arena just to meet the world number one.
Many fans brought custom banners to cheer him on during his matches.
Waters also attracted attention during her first official tournament outside the U.S. The teenage world number one matched Johns by winning two titles in Hanoi. She triumphed in both the mixed doubles and women's doubles events.
In the women's doubles final, Waters (R) and partner Anna Bright defeated second seeds Tyra Hurricane Black and Catherine Parenteau 11-7, 11-5.
Following the Hanoi event, Waters traveled to Ho Chi Minh City to participate in training sessions and exhibition matches.
Waters opted out of the women's singles competition due to fitness concerns from her packed schedule. Her absence opened the door for Kaitlyn Christian to claim the title.
The second seed defeated Brooke Buckner in a dramatic final with scores of 7-11, 14-12, 11-9.
Christian made an impressive comeback in the match, scoring eight consecutive points in the second set to overcome a deficit against her American compatriot.
Across the five main events, the host nation celebrated one local champion, as Ly Hoang Nam claimed the men's singles title. On his path to the championship, Nam brilliantly defeated world number four Christian Alshon. He then beat compatriot Truong Vinh Hien 11-5, 11-6 in the final.
This victory marked the second men's singles title for Nam within the PPA Asia Tour system.
Nam transitioned from being Vietnam's top tennis player to professional pickleball at the beginning of 2025. He rapidly climbed into the world's top 20 after only about a year of competition.
His championship in Hanoi has further solidified Vietnamese pickleball's position on the international stage.
The PPA Asia 1000 - Hanoi Cup 2026 took place from April 1 to 5 at the My Dinh Athletes Arena. The event brought together the largest number of PPA Pro players so far in Asia.
This also marked the third time the PPA Tour Asia has been held in Vietnam. It follows two highly successful events in Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang last year.
The Hanoi tournament is now considered the largest event in Vietnamese pickleball history, leaving a lasting impression on global stars and fans alike.
