Todd back in championship form; rallies past Bouchard

Genie Bouchard is playing in just her second tournament on the PPA Tour and she’s trying to make a name for herself in the pickleball world.

And on the long list of players who have already ascended the women’s singles pickleball hill – and there are more than a few – not many would think Parris Todd is right there.

Perhaps someday, Bouchard will be where Todd is. Along with becoming one of only two women to win a triple crown on the APP Tour, Todd has medaled six times on the PPA Tour.

And she also has a win, one of the few who does, against the game’s top player, Anna Leigh Waters.

“I feel like I’m in that form,” Todd said of playing at the championship level that got her past Waters back in 2022, the last time Waters lost a singles gold medal match. “I’ve been training really hard the last few months and I’ve been training singles a lot. I’m ready to come back and get a second one against her (Waters). 

Waters is waiting, Todd is well on her way and Bouchard may be just getting started. But Wednesday, after Todd fell behind Bouchard 5-0, called a timeout, and then fell behind 7-0, the match turned and Todd found that championship form.

Tood, the No. 23 seed, rallied for an 11-8 win, then won the second game 11-0, moving into the round of 16 at the Mesa Arizona Cup and on track to possibly face Waters in a semifinal which would be on Saturday. 

“It’s only going to be a matter of time for her,” Todd said of Bouchard. “Overall, I was impressed with her game. She’s done such a great job in tennis and her name is so big and she’s done so well for herself.

“I was figuring it out and I didn’t know what sides to hit or about her game. Once I figured it out, I found a strategy and stuck with it. It’s pickleball. You can be down 10-0 and come back and win 12-10. That’s how it goes. You don’t want to get down, but it’s always possible to come back. I wasn’t stressed out or panicking.”

Bouchard might well be on her way, but Todd has arrived. This is nothing new. She’ll face another of the game’s greats, Lea Jansen, Thursday in the round of 16. Jansen is the No. 3 seed. 

“I’m never satisfied and I’m never happy with where I’m at,” she said. “I’m always pushing for more and working on things. People are getting so good and the game is changing. You have to stay on top of it, or they’ll catch you.”

I’m excited to be here. Staying with some family. It’s nice to be home. There are still a lot of unknowns, but every match I play I’m going to play my hardest and give it my all. That’s how I am. I’m excited about some fun partnerships this year, and looking forward to playing with Tyra.