STORYLINES FOR THE VEOLIA HOUSTON OPEN PRESENTED BY JUST COURTS

Author: Dave Fleming | April 9, 2024

TRIPLE PLAY: Ben Johns grabbed his first triple crown of 2024 in NC, can he go back-to-back?
ALW101 WILL HAVE TO WAIT: Anna Leigh Waters and Catherine Parenteau are sitting out the PPA schedule until Atlanta.
WEEKEND PLANS: Second of 4 straight weekends with PPA tournament action.
SETTING THE BAR: Dekel Bar looks to continue his hot play with Thomas Wilson and Tina Pisnik as partners.
HOUSTON, WE HAVE NO PROBLEMS: Exciting debut for the PPA in Houston.

Event #7 of the year – one of 15 Opens in 2024, with 1000 points up for grabs for the winners.
Traditional Draw (singles on Thursday, mixed Friday, women’s and men’s doubles Saturday, finals Sunday).
No defending medalists as it’s the first tourney in Houston.
Coverage on Prime Video, PickleballTV, and Tennis Channel (on Sunday).
Broadcast start times are noon Eastern Thursday through Sunday.

Welcome to the number 1 seed Mary Brascia.
Can the 2 seed Lea Jansen grab gold after a great battle with ALW in NC?
Texas was good to Kaitlyn Christian (7) who grabbed silver in Austin – is Houston her final breakthrough?
WATCH OUT FOR: Parris Todd (6) – her seed will continue to climb as she plays and earns more points.

Ben Johns (1) looks for a 4^th straight title (he skipped Minnesota).
Youngster Cason Campbell (21), hat askew, looks to make another deep run.
Martinez Vich (6) vs. Joseph (9) is a potential barnburner of a round of 16 matchup.
WATCH OUT FOR: Federico Staksrud (2) – unbelievable consistency – can he make a 7^th consecutive singles final?

Bright/Ignatowich (1) look to rebound from a disappointing performance in Cary, NC.
Dizon and Bellamy (16) have lots of firepower – is this Roscoe’s breakthrough?
Maggie Brascia and Julian Arnold (13) – Maggie arrives in Houston after a semifinal run in mixed in NC with Todd Fought.
WATCH OUT FOR: Former Seattle Pioneer partners and MLP Champions Etta Wright and Ben Johns (2) as they reunite.

Rachel Rohrabacher and Anna Bright (1) were upset in NC but carry the 1 into Houston.
Lacy Schneemann, finalist in NC, pairs with fellow California resident Jessie Irvine (5).
Callie Smith and Lucy Kovalova (2) – separate over the last few tourneys but back together.
WATCH OUT FOR: Vivienne David/Jackie Kawamoto (4) – great blend of offense and defense that could challenge for a title.

Connor Garnett and new dad DJ Young could dazzle as the 6 seed.
Interesting 4 seed in Yates Johnson and Dylan Frazier.
Wright/Ignatowich (2) have yet to reach a final – will this be the one?
WATCH OUT FOR: Dekel Bar and Thomas Wilson, two Austin area natives looking for gold down the road in Houston.

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