In an electrifying match that showcased incredible skill and determination, Ben Johns defeated Chris Haworth 2-11, 11-3, 11-9 to claim the men’s singles title in the Lonestar State. Haworth came out strong in the first game, unleashing a barrage of precise shots that left Johns struggling to keep up. However, Johns was determined not to allow the initial setback to shape the full match.
With unwavering focus, Johns regrouped and adjusted his strategy, exploiting Haworth’s aggressive returns in the second game. Haworth’s tactic of hitting deep returns into the corners, which had proven effective in the first game, began to falter, and he gifted Johns three free points off missed returns. This momentum shift allowed Johns to level the match, setting the stage for a thrilling decider.
The third game was a bit more tough, with both players trading points in a high-intensity battle. Haworth’s struggles with returns continued, and Johns capitalized on his opponent’s mistakes to build a lead. Despite a late surge from Haworth, Johns held his nerve and closed out the match, securing his fifth singles title of 2024.
In the post-match interview, Johns praised Haworth’s exceptional skill and sportsmanship, acknowledging that he was pushed to his limits. “Chris is clearly a top singles player,” Johns said. “He plays a really big ball, and I was definitely on my heels in that first game. He had some miraculous passing shots that I haven’t seen before, so it was mostly about adjusting to his patterns a little better in Games 2 and 3.”
