Another Epic Mixed Finals Highlights PPA Cape Coral

It feels like every tournament someone is saying something like, "that may have been the best match I have ever seen".

Anna Bright and Hayden Patriquin vs. Anna Leigh Waters and Ben Johns in the Cape Coral finals was the match of the tournament in Cape Coral. Was it "the best match ever"? Probably not, but it was an amazing watch, nonetheless.

Let's get into the action.

Anna Leigh Waters and Ben Johns Both Win Two Golds

In an Open level tournament where both Ben and Anna Leigh skipped singles, they won their two doubles events.

In women's doubles, Anna Leigh and Anna Bright didn't lose a game all week. In fact, their combined scoreline was 121-40, or a 11-3.6 average. They faced the Kawamotos in the finals, winning 11-9, 11-5, 11-2. They are clearly the #1 team in the world, and it's not very close.

In mixed, Anna Leigh and Ben faced off against Anna and Hayden Patriquin. This was the match that I had previously mentioned was epic. There was a ton of back and forth and lead shifts and overall, just high level play. The final score was 11-7, 9-11, 3-11, 12-10, 11-5.

Hayden and Anna had a match point in game four, but couldn't put it away. They have been so close, but haven't found a way to win. In the last six months they have played Ben and Anna Leigh three times, and lost in the semis in three, and lost in the finals twice - both five game matches.

In men's doubles, Ben and Gabe Tardio proved they are the undisputed #1 seed. They played lights out throughout their run at Cape Coral. They did not lose a game in their five matches. They beat CJ Klinger and JW Johnson in three straight games, 11-9, 11-3, 11-7.

Which team is going to be able take them down? Only time will tell.

Federico Staksrud Earns Gold on his Birthday

Fed is the #2 seed and faced #1 Hunter Johnson in Cape Coral, beating him 11-9, 11-7. Fed beat Juan Benitez, Mo Alhouni, Zane Ford, and Jay Devilliers to make the finals.

The Argentinian turned 30 on Championship Sunday, so the win was a little sweeter. He is known as one of the fittest on tour, and despite hitting his 30s, doesn't look like he is stopping anytime soon.

Kaitlyn Christian Earns her First Gold of 2026

It has been just under six months since Kaitlyn Christian won her last gold medal in singles on the PPA Tour. Her last victory was the Vegas Open in October, 2025.

Christian earned bronze at the Indoor Championships earlier in the year.

Known for her mental toughness, KK showed it once again in the finals. She lost a great game one, 15-13, and then won 11-6, 11-2. The winds were swirling, she lost a heartbreaking game one, and yet she was able to come back and win. Christian is now comfortable in third in the standings and is looking to hold that spot headed into the Mesa Cup this week.

Other Storylines

Anna Bright joined the 30-30-30 Club - She now has 30 golds, silvers, and bronzes on the PPA Tour. The only other person to join that club is Catherine Parenteau.

Christian Alshon won three (3) bronze medals - Alshon himself will probably say he feel short of his goals in Cape Coral, but three medals is quite an impressive feat.

Women’s Singles

🥇 Kaitlyn Christian

🥈 Genie Bouchard

🥉 Lea Jansen

Men’s Singles

🥇 Federico Staksrud

🥈 Hunter Johnson

🥉 Christian Alshon

Mixed Doubles

🥇 Anna Leigh Waters/Ben Johns

🥈 Anna Bright/Hayden Patriquin

🥉 Rachel Rohrabacher/Christian Alshon

Women’s Doubles

🥇 Anna Bright/Anna Leigh Waters

🥈 Jade and Jackie Kawemoto

🥉 Jorja Johnson/Hurricane Tyra Black

Men’s Doubles

🥇 Gabe Tardio/Ben Johns

🥈 CJ Klinger/JW Johnson

🥉 Christian Alshon/Hayden Patriquin