The PPA Gold Coast Open brought fierce competition, exciting moments, and some fresh faces making their mark on the courts. Held at the RACV Royal Pines Resort, this tournament delivered four days of world-class pickleball. From iconic pros to rising stars, every match reminded us why this sport continues to capture Australia’s heart. Here’s a quick rundown of the top performances.
Men’s Doubles:
Armaan Bhatia and Harsh Mehta were the team to beat. After a tough semifinal, they entered the final ready for battle – and they didn’t disappoint. Facing Yuvraj Ruia and Kyle Yates, Bhatia and Mehta clinched gold with a 11-5, 4-11, 11-3 win. Despite dropping the second game, they showed their resilience and energy, proving they’re a duo to watch on the international stage. Meanwhile, Aussie pair Joseph Wild and George Wall secured bronze with a fantastic 11-3, 11-9 finish.
Men’s Singles:
In the men’s singles, Vietnam’s Phuc Huynh was unstoppable. He claimed gold with a solid 11-5, 11-7 win over Australian Mitchell Hargreaves. Huynh’s focused play kept him in control from start to finish, leaving little room for Hargreaves to fight back. Meanwhile, Leander Lazaro earned the bronze after a series of tight matches that left the crowd wanting more – he will be one to watch for the rest of the PPA tour.
Women’s Doubles:
Ting Chieh Wei and Liz Truluck took home gold in what many called the match of the day. Their final against Kaitlynn Hart and Roos van Reek was full of drama, tension, and incredible rallies. In a thrilling 7-11, 11-9, 8-11 match, Wei and Truluck emerged victorious. Shelby Bates and Emilia Schmidt secured bronze, narrowly missing the finals after an intense semifinal against Hart and van Reek, a game many believed could have easily been the gold medal match.
Women’s Singles:
Somer Dalla-Bona showed remarkable grit in her showdown with Pei-chuan Kao. After dominating the first game, she lost momentum in the second, but came roaring back in the third, winning 11-2, 0-11, 11-9 to capture gold. It was a match that kept the crowd on its feet, as either player could have won. Selina Turulja secured bronze after a nail-biting 13-11, 7-11, 11-6 win, proving just how competitive the women’s singles field is.
Mixed Doubles:
In the mixed doubles final, Danni-Elle Townsend and Joseph Wild delivered a masterclass, winning gold with a decisive 12-10, 11-2 victory over Kaitlynn Hart and rising star Lucas Pascoe. Pascoe, a JOOLA athlete, impressed throughout the tournament and is definitely one to watch. The bronze went to Michelle Esquivel and Prycen Haas, who finished strong with a 11-5, 11-9 win. Mitchell Hargreaves and Emilia Schmidt just missed out on another medal, finishing fourth after a hard-fought bronze-medal match.
Up Next:
With the Gold Coast Open behind us, the PPA Tour rolls on to its next stop: the Vietnam Open, set to take place at the Carmelina Beach Resort from October 18-20, 2024. The competition will be fierce, and the stakes higher than ever as players vie for top honours. Stay tuned for live coverage and updates at PPA Tour Vietnam Open 2024.
Image Credit: PPA Tournament Moments Captured by Paul Foxall | Foxall Photography
