As anticipation starts to mount for the Selkirk Red Rock Open, the latest stop on the relentless Caravana PPA Tour, one of the burning questions is whether Federico Staksrud can maintain his extraordinary streak as he aims for a ninth consecutive “Sunday” appearance in the fiercely competitive men’s singles category.
Undeniable Home Advantage
The Utah players in the draw are poised to receive an undeniable advantage with support from their raucous local fans. Also, transitioning from the relatively low altitude of 33 feet above sea level in California to the substantial elevation of nearly 2,800 feet in Utah promises to have a significant impact on gameplay as players adapt to the altered flight dynamics of the ball.
With this weekend being the fourth consecutive one of tournament action, the onus is firmly on the competitors’ mental and physical fortitude and how they cope with that could make or break the weekend for some. The tournament follows a traditional draw format, with singles matches scheduled for Thursday, mixed doubles on Friday, and women’s and men’s doubles on Saturday, culminating in the highly anticipated finals on Sunday.
This year marks the ninth installment of the event, one of 15 Opens scheduled for 2024 and offers participants the opportunity to earn a substantial 1,000 points towards their rankings. With its fourth consecutive year hosted in St. George, spectators can expect noisy crowds and electrifying matches, making it one of the highlights of the season.
The event will be broadcast on Prime Video and PickleballTV, with the action kicking off at 11 AM Pacific Time daily from Thursday through Sunday.
Women’s Singles
In the women’s singles, the defending medalists—Parenteau, Devidze, and Jansen—set a high bar for the rest of the competition. However, all eyes are on the number one seed, Mary Brascia, a formidable player, but still looking to snag a gold medal as the top seed.
Among the contenders is Kaitlyn Christian, ranked sixth and aiming to go two better after clinching bronze in Los Cab. The return of Judit Castillo, ranked third, adds another layer of intensity to the competition as she sets her sights firmly on Sunday’s showdown.
A particularly intriguing prospect is ##2 Lea Jansen, who has the potential to claim her second gold of 2024. With her skill and determination, Jansen poses a significant threat to her competitors and is one to watch closely as the tournament unfolds.
Men’s Singles
The defending medalists in the men’s singles category include Tyson McGuffin, Pablo Tellez, and Jay Devilliers, just highlighting the caliber of talent expected. However, the 2024 draw also introduces some new champions, with Staksrud, Connor Garnett, and Dylan Frazier, who have all been victorious in recent competitions.Â
Ben Johns has approached the tournament strategically and has opted to focus on doubles play. He is a notable absence from the singles lineup. Meanwhile, Roscoe Bellamy’s continued ascent saw him clinch his first podium finish last week at Los Cab and signals his potential to disrupt the established order.
However, all eyes are on FedS – Federico Staksrud, the reigning champion, as he embarks on a quest for an unprecedented ninth consecutive Sunday appearance and a potential fourth gold medal.
Mixed Doubles
In the realm of mixed doubles, anticipation is high as defending medalists, including James Ignatowich and Anna Bright, Jessie Irvine and AJ Koller, and Susannah Barr and Zane Navratil, return to defend their titles.
Etta Wright, fresh off her maiden mixed title victory alongside Ben Johns in Houston, renews her partnership with him as the top-seeded duo. Their chemistry and expertise make them a formidable force to contend with.
Bright and Ignatowich are seeded second and will be aiming to replicate their success from the previous year, where they clinched their first gold medal. The question looms whether they can achieve a breakthrough once again in 2024.
A new pairing to watch out for is Jack Sock and Allyce Jones, ranked ninth. Their collaboration promises to deliver thrilling matches and plenty of entertainment for spectators. As a first-time duo, they bring a fresh dynamic to the competition and pose an intriguing challenge to their opponents.
Tina Pisnik and Dekel Bar, seeded fifth, have also emerged as a duo to watch. Having reached two finals together, their chemistry and track record speak volumes. Pisnik’s recent bronze medal alongside Collin Johns will only add to their momentum.
Read our review of the Houston tournament here.
Women’s Doubles
In the women’s doubles division, the defending champions Meghan Dizon and Etta Wright, Lea Jansen and Allyce Jones, and Callie Smith and Lucy Kovalova bring their formidable skills back to the courts to defend their hard-earned titles.
A notable pairing to watch is Utah’s own Alix Truong, who joins forces with last week’s finalist, Vivian Glozman, entering the competition as the 12th seed. Their partnership adds a local flavor to the tournament, and it’ll be interesting to see how effective home support is when they’re facing those clutch moments.
Second seeds Dizon and Wright are also determined to uphold their home state pride. As they defend their title, their resilience and hometown advantage make them a formidable duo to contend with.
Another intriguing prospect is the pairing of Milan Rane and Chao Yi Wang, seeded 10th, who aim to harness their chemistry and make a deep run into the tournament. Their determination and teamwork have the potential to surprise their opponents and secure a spot in the later stages of the competition.
Last but not least, the most prominent duo on show is Anna Bright and Callie Smith, seeded first and boasting a formidable combination of firepower and skill. With Callie stepping in for Rachel Rohrabacher, they will truly be a force to be reckoned with.
Men’s Doubles
In the men’s doubles category, an intriguing storyline revolves around the brothers Johns, who are on a quest to dominate the month of April with four consecutive Sunday wins. Who can stop them?
Tyson McGuffin medaled in this bracket last year and is always good to watch. This time around, he’s partnering up with Dekel Bar, and they form the #4 seeded pairing.
Meanwhile, Dylan Frazier and J.W. Johnson, seeded second, have announced their official 100% commitment to the PPA Tour, signaling their intent to pursue gold with a renewed focus and dedication.
A fun pairing to keep an eye on is Augie Ge and A.J. Koller, with the latter having just returned from injury. You can always rely on them to inject a bit of excitement into the competition.
However, all eyes are on Pablo Tellez and Federico Staksrud, seeded third, as they embark on their final journey together as partners. Their collaboration has been a truly memorable one, and they will surely be looking to leave their mark on the tournament with a memorable final performance.
Pickleballing Hotspot
You can buy tickets here.
Utah is perhaps the biggest pickleballing hotspot in the U.S. Read our article about how even its smallest towns rub shoulders with large metropoles here.
