Quang Duong claimed his first singles title on the PPA Tour with a thrilling 11-8, 11-9 victory over No. 3 seed Connor Garnett to kick off Championship Sunday in Las Vegas.
The match was a showcase of exceptional pickleball talent, with both players swiftly covering the 20×44 court.
A key to Duong’s success was his precision in putaway volleys from the transition zone. If Garnett didn’t execute a clean volley on Duong’s third shot drives, the 18-year-old would seize the opportunity, attacking the fifth shot out of the air to score points.
Duong’s aggressive play propelled him to win the first game, but Garnett surged ahead in the second, initially leading 5-1. However, the No. 6 seed fought back, executing an impressive 8-1 run to set up his match-clinching victory, ultimately closing it out on his third attempt.
Earning his first singles title at Darling Tennis Center is extra special for Duong.
“I’ve been coming here since I was ten years old for tennis tournaments,” he explained. “My dad would be driving at like 4 in the morning just to get here for my matches, so capturing my first title here in Vegas means a lot.”
This marks Duong’s second title in his breakout 2024 season, having previously won gold in men’s doubles alongside Christian Alshon in Bristol back in August.
The former junior tennis star is excited to fully embrace the world of pickleball.
“My dad told me that if you leave something, then never look back, and so that’s what we did,” he said of leaving tennis behind. “I have no regrets whatsoever, and I’m having a blast on tour.”
In the bronze medal match, top-seeded Federico Staksrud beat No. 30 seed Michael Loyd by an 11-8, 11-9 score line.
