The Cincinnati Showcase has been highly entertaining thus far - upsets, water bottles being kicked, a pickleball was sent into a different universe, and more.

Paddle certification issues have been the talk of the town, since the UPA-A enforced its September 1st deadline (that was set in January).

Alex E. Weaver put together a great article explaining the situation earlier in the week:

Fun facts about the Cincinnati Showcase

In my preview articles, I always give predictions for the four semifinalists, and this week I was correct in 13 of 20 semifinalists.

Anna Leigh Waters is the only player still alive for a possible triple crown. However, Christian Alshon, Catherine Parenteau, Jorja Johnson, JW Johnson, Ben Johns, Gabe Tardio, Anna Bright, and Andrei Daescu are all hunting for two medals.

Newly UPA signed Chris Haworth is the 57 seed in this event, but he is the only player or partnership seeded worse than seventh to make the semifinals this week.

All five number one seeds are still alive. The last time all five number one seeds won an entire event? The PPA Masters, in January 2025. Anna Leigh triple crowned with Ben and Catherine, Ben won men’s doubles with Collin, and Federico won singles. That was the last tournament Fed won a singles event, as well.

Let’s get into the matchups.

Matchup Preview with Predictions

All matches are listed in the order of play

*Note: All odds listed for Kalshi odds are as of Saturday morning at 10am ET.

(1) Anna Leigh Waters v (7) Catherine Parenteau

Approximate time: 10am ET

Matchup history: Anna Leigh is winning the head-to-head matchup 16-1, and the only win for Catherine came in March 2023

Kalshi odds of winning the tournament:

Anna Leigh Waters - 90%
Catherine Parenteau - 4%

Catherine’s kryptonite in singles is Anna Leigh. Catherine got to the semis in a withdrawal from Parris Todd yesterday.

Prediction: Anna Leigh wins in two, and Catherine gets no more than 10 points combined

(1) Hunter Johnson v (6) Christian Alshon

Approximate time: 10:45am ET

Matchup history: Alshon narrowly leads the head-to-head matchup, 2-1. However, one of those wins came in 2023. Alshon beat Johnson in the quarterfinals of the Bristol Open in August, which was their last clash.

Kalshi odds of winning the tournament:

Hunter Johnson - 44%
Christian Alshon - 19%

Johnson will be out for some revenge from the loss in Bristol and both guys are playing very well. This matchup is going to see a lot of Christian at the net, with Hunter at the baseline hitting passing shots.

Prediction: Hunter takes this one in three games

(3) Kate Fahey v (6) Lea Jansen

Approximate time: 11:30am ET

Matchup history: Kate Fahey is 6-0 against Lea Jansen all-time

Kalshi odds of winning the tournament:

Kate Fahey - 8%
Lea Jansen - 4%

As I was putting together the head-to-head stats, I was shocked that Kate is 6-0 against Lea. Lea played well yesterday to beat Kaitlyn Christian in two games yesterday to earn her spot here. I think a big factor in this one is who gets off to a hotter start - both women are great competitors, so gaining a lead early will be big.

Prediction: I am taking Kate to win this one in a very close first game, followed by a runaway second game

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(3) Connor Garnett v (57) Chris Haworth

Approximate time: 12:15pm ET

Matchup history: Connor Garnett narrowly leads the head-to-head matchup, 2-1. However, it has been over a year since their last matchup, so I am not sure how relevant the head-to-head history is.

Kalshi odds of winning the tournament:

Connor Garnett - 18%
Chris Haworth - 31%

Haworth is not playing with his normal Babolat paddle this week, due to the stricter regulations, but he is still winning. He beat Zane Navratil, Jack Sock, and Federico Staksrud to make the semis. The last time Connor made a Championship Sunday was about four months ago in Atlanta, so he is looking to punch his ticket. Haworth is doing his best to get rid of that 57 seed, and 2,000 points at this Slam would go a long way there.

Prediction: Haworth wins in two close games

(2) Jorja and JW Johnson v (4) Anna Bright/Andrei Daescu

Approximate time: 1pm ET

Matchup history: Jorja and JW beat Anna and Andrei in their only matchup against each other in August in PPA Bristol in the semis, 11-2, 11-9.

Kalshi odds of winning the tournament:

Jorja and JW Johnson - 95%
Anna Bright/Andrei Daescu - 17%

I know both Anna Bright and Andrei Daescu HATE losing. I think revenge is on their mind for the loss in Bristol last month and they are going to come out firing. Andrei has not had his best stuff this weekend, with the paddle issues, and really needs to step up his game in this one. JW and Jorja just need to weather that early storm of energy from Anna and Andrei. The longer this one goes, the larger chance JW and Jorja have of winning.

Prediction: JW and Jorja win in a thrilling three game match

(1) Anna Leigh Waters/Ben Johns v (7) Jessie Irvine/Gabe Tardio

Approximate time: 1:45pm ET

Matchup history: ALW and Ben are 5-0 in their career against Gabe and Jessie, and have never lost a game.

Kalshi odds of winning the tournament:

Anna Leigh Waters and Ben Johns - 88%
Jessie Irvine and Gabe Tardio - 5%

Ben is playing against his men’s doubles partner in Gabe, which is always intriguing. However, Gabe and Jessie have never even taken a game off Ben and Anna Leigh, and I don’t think that starts today.

Prediction: Ben and Anna Leigh in two games

(2) Parris Todd/Catherine Parenteau v (4) Jorja Johnson/Hurricane Tyra Black

Approximate time: 2:30pm ET

Matchup history: Jorja and Tyra beat Catherine and Parris in their only matchup against one another in the Las Vegas Strip Open two weeks ago in the finals, 11-7, 11-5, 9-11, 11-9.

Kalshi odds of winning the tournament:

Parris Todd/Catherine Parenteau - 6%
Jorja Johnson/Hurricane Tyra Black - 20%

This was a close matchup in Vegas and all four women are playing well right now. I worry a bit about Parris, who withdrew from singles. I am unsure if it is a health thing, or an injury thing. I think Jorja and Tyra bring too much firepower to this one, even with Tyra playing with a different paddle.

Prediction: Jorja and Tyra win in two close games.

(2) Federico Staksrud/Hayden Patriquin v (3) Christian Alshon/Andrei Daescu

Approximate time: 3:15pm ET

Matchup history: Alshon and Daescu are 3-0 in this matchup, and they beat Fed and Hayden 12-10, 11-4 in Vegas two weeks ago.

Kalshi odds of winning the tournament:

Federico Staksrud/Hayden Patriquin - 10%
Christian Alshon/Andrei Daescu - 17%

We have seen Fed and Hayden switching sides over the past two tournaments, with Hayden playing some on the left. I would expect that to happen in this one as well, because they are 0-3 against Andrei and Christian. As I said before, Andrei is a little less consistent this week with a new paddle, so I expect to see him targeted on all the thirds and at the kitchen line.\

Prediction: Fed and Hayden are able to win in a three game battle

(1) Anna Bright/Anna Leigh Waters v (6) Jade and Jackie Kawamoto

Approximate time: 4pm ET

Matchup history: These two partnerships have never faced off against each other.

Kalshi odds of winning the tournament:

Anna Bright/Anna Leigh Waters - 81%
Jade and Jackie Kawamoto - 4%

It is weird that these partnerships have never faced each other, but this should be a good one. I believe the Kawamotos are playing with JOOLA paddles this week, but the question remains - can they find enough offense to make some noise? I expect the Kawamotos to speed up at AB whenever they try to find their own offense, and if they don’t choose the right time, this one could get away from them.

Prediction: AB and Anna Leigh win comfortably in two games

(1) Gabe Tardio/Ben Johns v (4) CJ Klinger/JW Johnson

Approximate time: 4:45pm ET

Matchup history: These partnerships are 1-1 against each other. Ben and Gabe beat CJ and JW in two in April in North Carolina. More recently, JW and CJ beat Ben and Gabe in the Atlanta Open Finals, 11-9, 11-9, 11-7.

Kalshi odds of winning the tournament:

Gabe Tardio/Ben Johns - 64%
CJ Klinger/JW Johnson - 17%

Playing Ben Johns after having beat him in the last event you faced off against each other is never really a recipe for success. Gabe and Ben have won three tournaments since their loss to CJ and JW. JW and CJ have a ceiling that rivals Gabe and Ben, but their floor is definitely lower. They are going to need to stay consistent tonight in this marquee matchup to have a shot.

Prediction: Ben and Gabe win in a three game match

Photo credit for the header graphic courtesy of the PPA Tour.