2025 Virginia Beach Cup

Players: -Anna Leigh Waters:   / a.l.waters_a1   -Ben Johns:   / benjohns_pb   -Tina Pisnik:   / tinapisnikofficial   -Andrei Daescu:   / andreidaescupkl  

Comments Highlights

6:15 wow

11:18 unstoppable

Fasenra Virginia Beach Cup presented by Joola Playlist 

Numbered Highlight Time Code List

1. 0:00 - Opening Serve and Aggressive Start: Anna Leigh Waters unleashes multiple attacks on Andrei Daescu in the first rally, setting an aggressive tone.
2. 0:39 - "Lordy Lordy" Rally: Waters pulls triggers repeatedly on Daescu, highlighting his vulnerability on the move.
3. 1:20 - Pisnik's Background Spotlight: Commentary notes Tina Pisnik's tennis pedigree and strong performance despite injury.
4. 2:34 - Ben's Tactical Takeover: Johns exploits Waters being off-court with a precise shot.
5. 3:09 - Daescu's Grunt and Johns' Block: Daescu lunges with an "old man grunt," but Johns blocks into open court.
6. 3:51 - Ben's Bewildered Miss: Johns misses a dink, showing rare vulnerability.
7. 4:43 - Beauty Lob and Waters' Rip: A perfect lob sets up Waters to rip through the middle.
8. 5:13 - Johns' Unique Topspin: Johns hits topspin from above the shoulder, credited to his table tennis background.
9. 6:02 - Daescu Takes a Hit: Daescu gets hit on the left side, with commentary noting "big man, big target."
10. 6:19 - Near Collision and Sneaky Ernie: Pisnik and Daescu nearly collide on an Ernie attempt.
11. 8:26 - Daescu's Combo Neutralize: Daescu neutralizes with a combo, but Waters/Johns win the point.
12. 9:51 - Inside-Out Forehand from Daescu: Daescu strikes with a strong inside-out forehand.
13. 10:41 - Pisnik's Wild Save: Pisnik makes a Tommyhawk-style save, but Johns takes over.
14. 11:24 - Rocket Launch Crosscourt: A high-pace crosscourt shot leads to game point.
15. 12:22 - Daescu Hit Again: Daescu gets hit on the backside during a point.
16. 13:03 - Game 1 End: Waters/Johns win Game 1 at 11-4 with a buried shot.
17. 14:12 - Ridiculous Stabs by Johns: Johns makes multiple stabs leading to an easy putaway.
18. 15:03 - Crosscourt Dink Miss: Daescu misses a stretched crosscourt dink.
19. 16:07 - No-Fly Zone Middle Shot: Shot back through the middle in a restricted zone.
20. 16:30 - Hardest Hit Ball: A running volley draws huge crowd oohs for its sound and speed.
21. 17:01 - Pisnik Makes Him Hit One More: Pisnik forces an extra shot, leading to a frame-off error.
22. 19:23 - Wild Overhead from Daescu: Daescu's overhead bounces too high for Waters to reach.
23. 21:09 - Longest Point: Extended rally ends with drama.
24. 21:25 - Pisnik's On-the-Run ATP: Pisnik executes a tough around-the-post shot on the run.
25. 22:11 - Waters' Backhand Setup: Waters runs around forehand to set up backhand down the line, but Daescu counters.
26. 25:55 - Low Cut Sender Miss: Waters misses a low cut down the line, giving Daescu a point.
27. 26:36 - Daescu's Long Arm Tie: Daescu ties the score at 5 with reach.
28. 27:33 - Lead and Timeout: Pisnik/Daescu take 6-5 lead, prompting Waters/Johns timeout.
29. 29:53 - Pro Dinking Practice Pays Off: Clean dinking leads to a point win.
30. 30:29 - Timeout at 8-6: Receivers call timeout as Waters/Johns pull ahead.
31. 32:33 - Near Escape: Pisnik/Daescu nearly get out of match point trouble.
32. 32:46 - Dreaded HTP (Hook to Post): Waters hooks an ATP attempt back in, missing a potential crowd-exploding moment.
33. 33:21 - Match End: Waters/Johns win on match point at 11-7.

Match Spoiler Alert

Waters and Johns Cruise to Finals in Virginia Beach Cup

Top Seeds Showcase Dominance in Mixed Doubles Semifinals Against Pisnik and Daescu

In a thrilling display of pickleball prowess at the Fasenra Virginia Beach Cup presented by Joola, top-seeded duo Anna Leigh Waters and Ben Johns secured a straight-sets victory over the seventh-seeded team of Tina Pisnik and Andrei Daescu. The match, held on a sunny Friday afternoon, highlighted the champions' precision, aggression, and unyielding consistency, propelling them to yet another final with a record now standing at an astonishing 285-8 in their partnership. While Pisnik and Daescu brought veteran skills and fierce competition—drawing from Pisnik's tennis background and Daescu's powerful lefty play—the favorites' superior court coverage and strategic execution proved insurmountable.

Game 1: Early Dominance Sets the Tone

The opening game saw Waters and Johns establish control from the first rally, blending aggressive attacks with flawless defense. Waters, in particular, shone with her new service motion and relentless targeting of Daescu, pulling "three or four triggers" in extended points. Johns complemented this with pinpoint blocks and volleys, including a standout "boop" into open court after Daescu's lunge. Despite Pisnik's terrific racket skills—honed from her days as a top-30 WTA singles player—and Daescu's inside-out forehands, the top seeds built a commanding lead.

Key moments included Waters ripping shots through the middle and Johns' topspin-heavy returns from above the shoulder, a nod to his table tennis roots. Errors from the underdogs, like Daescu's deep returns and Pisnik's failed conversions, allowed Waters/Johns to close out the game 11-4 amid crowd cheers for their "goating" performance.

Game 2: A Fiercer Battle with Momentum Swings

The second game ramped up in intensity, with Pisnik and Daescu briefly taking a 6-5 lead after a series of high-level exchanges. Daescu's "wild overhead" that bounced too high for Waters to reach and Pisnik's on-the-run ATP (around-the-post) attempt electrified the crowd, showcasing their fight. However, Waters and Johns responded with relentless offense, including Waters' wristy line shots and Johns' high balls dipped with backhand topspin.

Daescu's long arm and Pisnik's punch volleys kept it close at 5-5, but unforced errors—like Daescu's missed timings and Pisnik's deep misses—shifted momentum. The top seeds capitalized on extended dink rallies and grindy points, forcing a timeout at 8-6 before sealing the match 11-7 on match point. The game underscored the physical demands, with players in constant crouch positions and lunging across the court.

Standout Plays: Moments of Brilliance and Drama

Throughout the match, individual brilliance elevated the spectacle. Waters' aggressive line-hugging and backhand setups, combined with Johns' poaching and reload trusts, created highlight-reel offense. Daescu's sneaky Ernies and inside-out forehands—ranked potentially as the second-best among right-handers—nearly caused collisions and exposed vulnerabilities. Pisnik's wild saves, including Tommyhawk-style volleys and fade counters reminiscent of coaching from Johns' brother Colin, added flair. Crowd reactions peaked during hard-hit running volleys, rare height-overhead winners, and near-ATP hooks, emphasizing the match's preposterous level of play from all four athletes.

Summary

This semifinal clash at the Virginia Beach Cup exemplified why Waters and Johns remain the gold standard in mixed doubles pickleball, extending their dominance to 285 wins against just 8 losses.

From the outset, their synergy was evident: Waters' adaptive service and targeted attacks on Daescu's movement exploited gaps, while Johns' defensive stabs and topspin control neutralized threats.

Pisnik and Daescu, despite their underdog status, delivered a valiant effort—leveraging Pisnik's tennis-honed consistency (reaching WTA No. 29) and Daescu's powerful lefty game to claim a prior game against the duo in Tucson and briefly lead in Game 2 here.

However, the match highlighted the razor-thin margins at the pro level: a few unforced errors, like Daescu's deep shots and Pisnik's failed slices, proved costly against such calibrated opponents.

The physical toll was palpable in extended rallies, testing fitness and footwork, yet the top seeds' mental resilience shone through timeouts and momentum shifts.

Ultimately, this victory not only secures their finals spot but reinforces their "GOAT" status, blending aggression, strategy, and execution in a match that demanded peak performance from everyone involved.

Pisnik and Daescu's grit, including near-walk-off moments, added drama, making this a memorable battle that underscores the sport's growing intensity.

On-Court Interview with Anna Leigh Waters and Ben Johns

Hannah Johns: Well, guys, this was such an impressive battle to witness out here on center court to lock up your spot in the finals. What did these this team bring out here on center court today?

Anna Leigh: Yeah, we played Andre and Tina earlier in the year and it was a very close three-game match and then we played them in Atlanta. Um, beat them in two there. So, I knew that it was going to be a tough match. I mean, Andre and Tina are always going to bring it. They're always going to fight for every point. They're so consistent. Uh, such good players, very nice people. So, um, I knew it was going to be a good match, but I also knew that Ben and I had to really play our agame, and I think we did that today. I think Ben said he missed no thirds. Um, which is pretty hard to do. So, thank you, Ben, for playing amazing match.

Hannah Johns: And then, your brother Colin has coached Tina off and on for a while. Do you see any of your brother in her game or her techniques or strategy out there?

Ben Johns: It's funny you say that cuz very much so. As I was like attacking in the first game, I was like, I've seen this before. Um, so yeah, there are some some similarities, some with the blocking, some with the the fade counters. So, uh, you know, sometimes it works in her favor just cuz she's, uh, kind of good at countering similar stuff, and sometimes it works in my favor because I usually know where the counter's going.

Hannah Johns: And Anna Leigh, it's so important to take space for the things outside of pickle ball. You went to Disneyland, I think, in Universal recently. How fun was that?

Anna Leigh Waters: It was so much fun. I love going to the parks. I like the crazy roller coaster rides. So, um, yeah, I'm not a thrillseker usually, but I love like big scary rides. So, um, it was really fun. got to eat some good food. Then I went on like a healthy cleanse for a couple weeks after cuz I was going crazy at the parks. But I love going there, so I'm sure I'll be there again. I love it.

Hannah Johns: Adrenaline rushes on and off the court. Guys, congratulations and good luck in your final, Dave.

Additional Ways to Use The Match Transcript for Fan Perspectives

Beyond the summary article, interview, and highlights, this transcript offers rich material for deeper fan engagement. Here are some ideas to provide alternative views on the match and players:

• Player Stat Breakdown: Extract and tally key stats from the commentary, such as unforced errors (e.g., Daescu's deep returns, Pisnik's slice misses), winners (Waters' rips, Johns' blocks), and rally lengths (e.g., the longest point at 21:09). This quantitative angle reveals efficiency, like Johns' claim of missing no thirds, offering a data-driven perspective on dominance.
• Strategic Analysis: Dive into tactics mentioned, like Waters' line-hugging dinks, Daescu's inside-out forehands, and Pisnik's fade counters influenced by Colin Johns' coaching. Compare to past matches (e.g., the close Tucson quarters or Atlanta semis) to show evolution, giving fans insight into adaptability and mind games.
• Player Profiles and Backstories: Use the transcript's nods to backgrounds—Pisnik's WTA history, Johns' table tennis roots, Daescu's Romanian heritage and "old man grunt"—to create mini-bios. This humanizes the athletes, exploring how off-court elements (e.g., Waters' Disneyland trips and thrill-seeking) fuel their on-court adrenaline.
• Fan Reaction Compilation: Since the transcript captures crowd "oohs," cheers, and reactions (e.g., to hard hits at 16:30 or near-ATP at 32:46), cross-reference with real-time X posts or videos from the event for social sentiment analysis, showing how moments resonated with viewers.
• Visual Recreations: Suggest diagrams or animations of key plays (e.g., Daescu's wild overhead at 19:23) to visualize court positioning, helping fans understand spatial dynamics and why certain shots worked or failed.
• Comparative Matchups: Contrast this with other Waters/Johns matches against similar opponents, highlighting patterns like targeting big targets (Daescu) or countering slices (Pisnik), to predict finals strategies.

These approaches transform the raw transcript into multifaceted content, blending analysis, storytelling, and interactivity for a fuller fan experience.