Ben Johns Outlasts Connor Garnett In Gritty Three-Game Battle To Secure Men’s Singles Gold

Ben Johns closed out a relentless day of competition on the Humana Championship Court with a hard-fought 3-11, 11-9, 11-9 victory over Connor Garnett, claiming the men’s singles title in a match that kept spectators on the edge of their seats.

After splitting his earlier finals appearances in mixed doubles and men’s doubles, Johns returned to the court determined to finish strong. However, it was Garnett who came out firing, racing through the opening game 11-3 with a display of pinpoint passing shots and relentless baseline coverage.

Source: Pickleball.com

Turning The Tide

Down 5-1 in the second game and appearing to be on the ropes, Johns regrouped, adjusting his tactics to slow the tempo and force Garnett into prolonged, strategic rallies. The shift in strategy paid off as Johns clawed his way back, eventually taking the second game 11-9.

The final game proved to be a battle of attrition. Johns earned his first match point at 10-6 but struggled to close the door as Garnett fought back, saving three match points to keep the contest alive. On his fourth match point, Johns seized the opportunity, defending a blistering ATP with a precise counterpunch that sealed the victory.

Visibly drained but triumphant, Johns let out a rare shout of emotion, a moment that spoke volumes about the physical and mental toll of the contest.

Exhaustion And Emotion

In his post-match interview, Johns opened up about the rare display of emotion, attributing it to the sheer intensity of the match and the energy from the crowd.

“Connor gets to everything and makes you hit so many balls, so I was just exhausted at the end,” he said. “I think that’s what brought the emotion out of me. A lot of people say that you can’t do it without the crowd, and this time it was really true. I was just so exhausted, and they helped a lot.”

Garnett’s Breakthrough And Perspective

For Connor Garnett, the loss was a tough pill to swallow but not without its silver linings. The No. 3 seed was making his first Championship Sunday appearance of the year and delivered a performance that underscored his rising status in the men’s singles division.

“I’m stoked to be playing well, and the energy was electric out here,” Garnett said. “It’s always fun having battles with great players. Obviously not the result I wanted, but all kudos to Ben. He really went out there and took it.”

Bronze Medal Clash

Earlier in the day, the bronze medal match saw No. 2 seed Hunter Johnson square off against No. 8 seed Dylan Frazier. Johnson took control early, securing an 11-2, 11-7 win to claim the final podium spot.

What’s Next For Johns?

With his second title of the day in hand, Ben Johns continues to assert himself as the player to beat on the men’s circuit. The win not only adds another gold to his growing collection but also serves as a reminder that even in the face of mounting pressure, Johns remains the epitome of mental toughness and strategic mastery on the court.

As the PPA Tour rolls on, the question now is who can step up to challenge the sport’s reigning champion – and if Garnett’s spirited performance in Atlanta is any indication, the competition is only getting tougher.