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Sunday, February 26, 2023
Minnesota is the land of opportunity as the brackets were left wide open because of the absence of Ben Johns and Anna Leigh Waters. Up first starting at 10AM is JW Johnson who will be making two appearances on Championship Sunday as he will be playing for the men's singles title and men's doubles title at the PPA Indoor National Championships. Men's singles will start Championship Sunday as Johnson faces off against fellow South Florida native, James Ignatowich. We've seen this match up only twice during tournament play and only on the APP Tour. Johnson in April of 2022 defeated Ignatowich 8-11, 11-7, 11-3. and on their second meeting they met in the back draw where Ignatowich defeated Johnson 15-2.
Photos: PPA Tour & Chanel Bell
This is Ignatowich's first PPA Championship Sunday appearance so we are giving the advantage to JW Johnson. Johnson has a few more matches and Championship Sundays under his belt and with his normal calm, cool demeanor it will only help him. Johnson also thrives playing indoors as one of his most memorable wins was the Tournament of Champions Indoor tournament in Utah in 2021 where he defeated Ben Johns in three games and went on to win the gold.
Ignatowich needs to bring the energy (hence why he split steps 3,000 times per game)! He did suffer from some cramping at the end of mixed day so we will see after already three rigorous days of playing how his body holds up in both Championship Sunday events.
Is it me, or do Selkirk sponsored players have more of a tendency to cramp? Hm. Miss you, Tyson!
JW Johnson's Road to the Indoor National Championship Sunday: Win vs: Lohani, Aanik Score: 1-11, 11-7, 11-1
Win vs: Staksrud, Frederico Score: 14-12, 12-14, 11-9
Win vs: Arnold, Julian Score: 11-2, 11-7 James Ignatowich's Road to the Indoor National Championship Sunday: Win vs: Young, DJ Score: 11-6, 11-4
Win vs: Alshon, Christian Score: 11-6, 11-8
Win vs: Devilliers, Jay Score: 11-5, 11-9
The men's singles final will start the day and the women's singles final will finish the day and are we in for a doozy! We have Lea Jansen facing off against nemesis Catherine Parenteau. My mouth is salivating just thinking about this women's final match up as all of the previous partner drama was entangled around these two former doubles partners. As much as any competitor wants to win, the history behind these two players will make this a very exciting match to watch.
Photo by : Robert Luk
Their head to head since beginning of 2022 is even at 2-2 with Jansen coming up with the goods the last two meetings they've encountered. The most recent being the Hyundai Masters in January where Jansen defeated Parenteau 7-11, 11-8, 11-3. Although Parenteau is one of the best defensive players out there, Jansen has a bit more fire power behind her shots which gives her the overall edge. We say Jansen will take this match in three games but not without a fight from Parenteau.
Lea Jansen's Road to the Indoor National Championship Sunday: Win vs: Stratman, Lauren Score: 11-2, 11-8
Win vs: Devidze, Salome Score: 10-12, 11-8, 11-0 Catherine Parenteau's Road to the Indoor National Championship Sunday: Win vs: Bright, Anna Score: 9-11, 11-6, 11-1
Win vs: Buckner, Brooke Score: 11-7, 11-3