Midseason Momentum Builds

The latest stop on the PPA Challenger Tour brought a fresh wave of talent to Fairport, NY, as competitors battled for tour points, medals, and valuable leaderboard positioning with the season reaching its halfway mark.

Set along the scenic Erie Canal just outside Rochester, the Fairport Pickleball Club played host to the event. With near-perfect weather outside and a packed house inside, over 340 players were ready for three days of high-stakes action.

Day 1 – Singles Action Heats Up

Friday kicked things off with pro Men’s and Women’s Singles. On the Men’s side, JOOLA’s John Lucian Goins delivered a strong run but ultimately came up just short in the final, falling to a tenacious George Rangelov.

In Women’s Singles, Canadian rising star and former Division I tennis standout from the University of California, Jada Bui, claimed her second gold of the season on the Challenger Tour with a dominant performance.

Day 2 – Doubles Dominate the Spotlight

Saturday was all about teamwork, with Men’s and Women’s Doubles headlining a marathon day of matches.

JOOLA returned to the top of the podium as John Lucian Goins teamed up with PPA Trailblazer Yuta Funemizu. The duo looked in sync all day, outlasting Kevin Dong and Wade Heerboth in a hard-fought final. Goins—one of the few players to have notched a win over Ben Johns—and Yuta showcased strong chemistry and smart tactical play to earn gold.

The Women’s Doubles final proved well worth the wait. In a thrilling, seesaw battle, the Canadian team of Antoaneta Toskova and Anne-Sophie Courteau overcame a first-game loss to edge out Allie Reichert and Abika Kalsarieva in three intense games. Grit and determination carried Toskova and Courteau across the finish line as they claimed the top spot on the podium.

Day 3 – Mixed Doubles and Hometown Cheers

Sunday was reserved for Mixed Doubles, and the energy remained high.

JOOLA pro and Two Zeros and a Pro star Josh Jenkins teamed up with Cynthia McPherson. While the pair didn’t podium, they rallied to win a thrilling backdraw battle 17-15 over Dominique Canale and Eric Davidson. The match was a highlight of the day, showcasing grit and sportsmanship on both sides.

Local fans turned out in force to support Fairport’s own Paul Valenti of Valenti Pickleball. A beloved figure in the community, Valenti's family has deep roots in the sport—his father founded Valenti Sporting Goods and hosts Picklefest XV, New York State’s longest-running pickleball tournament.

In the final championship match of the weekend, Nicole Conrad and Anouar Braham closed things out by defeating Katherine Allan and Wade Heerboth to take home the last set of gold medals.

Next Up on the Tour

The PPA Challenger Series rolls on with its next stop at Lake Hallie Pickleball in Eau Claire, WI, on July 24. As we move into the back half of the season, stay tuned to @PPA.Challenger for leaderboard updates, behind-the-scenes content, and more Challenger Tour action.