Article by: Michael Brausam
Anna Leigh Waters and Ben Johns remain the titans of professional pickleball, their reign on the PPA Tour a testament to their skill and synergy. However, even giants can stumble. With the current date being February 26, 2025, their most recent defeat in mixed doubles within the last week came at the PPA Desert Ridge Open in Mesa, Arizona, held from February 20-23, 2025. Facing off against Anna Bright and James Ignatowich, the top duo fell in a gripping match that showcased the rising tide of competition in the sport. Here’s a breakdown of who defeated them, the game highlights, and what it means for their legacy.
The Match: PPA Desert Ridge Open, February 23, 2025
The PPA Desert Ridge Open brought the heat to Mesa, Arizona, with the mixed doubles quarterfinals delivering a blockbuster clash on February 23, 2025. Waters and Johns, ranked No. 1 in the world, squared off against Anna Bright and James Ignatowich in a best-of-five showdown. The final scoreline—11-8, 9-11, 11-7, 5-11, 11-9 in favor of Bright and Ignatowich—marked the end of a 16-match winning streak for Waters and Johns as a mixed doubles team, a streak that stretched back to March 2023.
This loss was their first in mixed doubles since the PPA Indoor National Championships in February 2024, where they also fell to Bright and Ignatowich. The Desert Ridge defeat didn’t knock them out of the tournament entirely—pool play and bracket structures allowed them to advance—but it was a rare blemish on their record and a headline-grabbing moment for pickleball fans.
The Victors: Anna Bright and James Ignatowich
Anna Bright and James Ignatowich have emerged as the most consistent challengers to Waters and Johns’ dominance. Bright, the No. 2 women’s mixed doubles player, is known for her relentless aggression and a one-handed backhand flick that’s become a nightmare for opponents. Ignatowich, also ranked No. 2 in men’s mixed doubles, combines power with pinpoint accuracy, making him a force on the left side of the court. Together, they’ve built a partnership that thrives under pressure, as evidenced by their previous upset of Waters and Johns at the 2024 Indoor Nationals (10-12, 11-8, 11-6, 11-5).
Their victory at Desert Ridge wasn’t a fluke—it was a masterclass in strategy and execution. Bright’s ability to dictate pace and Ignatowich’s knack for finishing points at the net proved decisive in a match that went the distance.
Game Highlights
This five-game thriller was pickleball at its most electrifying, with each game swinging the momentum like a pendulum. Here’s how it unfolded:
- Game 1: Bright and Ignatowich Take the Lead (11-8)
The match started with Bright setting the tone, unleashing her signature flick shots to catch Waters off-balance. Ignatowich dominated the left side, hammering drives past Johns’ outstretched paddle. Waters and Johns fought back with their trademark dinking, but a crucial unforced error from Johns at 8-8 handed Bright and Ignatowich the edge, which they closed out 11-8. - Game 2: Waters and Johns Respond (9-11)
The No. 1 pair roared back, with Johns unleashing a barrage of Ernes—those leaping volleys that have become his calling card. Waters sped up the game, banging shots crosscourt to disrupt Bright’s rhythm. A tense rally at 9-9 ended with Johns threading a forehand down the line, and they leveled the match at 11-9. - Game 3: Bright and Ignatowich Edge Ahead (11-7)
Bright’s offensive lobs returned with a vengeance, forcing Johns to scramble defensively. Ignatowich capitalized on short balls, firing winners that left Waters lunging. At 7-7, Bright’s backhand flick sparked a three-point run, and they sealed the game 11-7 with a perfectly placed lob that kissed the baseline. - Game 4: Waters and Johns Force a Decider (5-11)
Facing elimination, Waters and Johns found their groove. Waters’ crosscourt backhands pinned Ignatowich, while Johns dominated firefights at the net. A 6-0 run turned a 5-5 tie into a commanding lead, and they closed it out 11-5 with Johns smashing an overhead that Ignatowich couldn’t return. - Game 5: A Dramatic Finish (11-9)
The decider was a rollercoaster. Waters and Johns jumped to a 4-1 lead with patient dinking, but Bright and Ignatowich clawed back, tying it at 7-7 with a 20-shot rally ending in Bright’s flick winner. At 9-9, Ignatowich’s serve set up a chaotic exchange, and Bright sealed the deal with a reflex volley at the net, winning 11-9 as Johns’ final shot sailed long.
The Aftermath
Despite the loss, Waters and Johns remained in contention at Desert Ridge, advancing through the bracket thanks to the tournament’s format. Their resilience shone through as they later claimed gold in mixed doubles, defeating JW Johnson and Jorja Johnson in the final (11-6, 11-8, 11-7). Waters also secured her 31st career triple crown, winning women’s singles (11-4, 11-5 over Brooke Buckner) and women’s doubles with Catherine Parenteau (4-11, 11-9, 5-11, 11-8, 11-1 over Bright and Rachel Rohrabacher). Johns added men’s doubles gold with Collin Johns, topping Federico Staksrud and Hayden Patriquin (11-7, 11-9, 11-6).
For Bright and Ignatowich, the quarterfinal win was a statement, but they couldn’t sustain the momentum, falling in the semifinals to Johnson and Johnson (11-8, 9-11, 11-7, 11-5). Still, their victory over Waters and Johns reaffirmed their status as the duo most likely to challenge the throne.
Final Thoughts
Anna Leigh Waters and Ben Johns losing to Anna Bright and James Ignatowich on February 23, 2025, at the PPA Desert Ridge Open wasn’t a changing of the guard—it was a wake-up call. The five-game epic highlighted the sport’s growing depth, with Bright and Ignatowich proving they can go toe-to-toe with the best. For Waters and Johns, it’s a rare dent in an armor forged from 16 straight mixed doubles titles, but their subsequent gold-medal haul shows they’re still the team to beat. As the PPA Tour rolls on, this match will linger as a reminder: the pickleball crown is secure, but the chase is closer than ever.
