Alshon & Daescu Stun Johns & Tardio to Defend Men’s Doubles Crown at Carvana Mesa Cup
Alshon and Daescu claimed their second straight Carvana Mesa Cup men’s doubles title, outlasting Johns and Tardio in a nail-biting five-game final. The duo dominated early with 11-5, 11-1 wins before weathering a fierce comeback attempt. Their height advantage and Alshon’s 16 clean winners proved decisive in the 11-7 fifth-game clincher. The victory at Arizona Athletic Grounds earned them 1,500 PPA Tour points and sent shockwaves through the professional pickleball circuit.
Christian Alshon and Andrei Daescu stormed their way to another men’s doubles title at the Carvana Mesa Cup, taking down the newly-formed duo of Ben Johns and Gabe Tardio in a grueling five-game final.
The defending champions showcased their dominance with a commanding 11-5, 11-1 start before weathering a fierce comeback attempt from Johns and Tardio, ultimately prevailing 11-5, 11-1, 10-12, 5-11, 11-7.
The victory at the Arizona Athletic Grounds marked the second title together for Alshon and Daescu, who previously triumphed at the Tucson Open. Their height advantage proved vital throughout the tournament, though they occasionally struggled with low balls at the kitchen line. The team’s imposing presence, with Alshon at 6’2″ and Daescu at 6’4″, created consistent challenges for their opponents.
Alshon, now with four doubles titles to his name, released a match-high 16 clean winners, while Daescu’s sixth career doubles title solidified their growing reputation. This dynamic duo has established themselves as the best current mens doubles team in the circuit.
Alshon and Daescu’s commanding performance, featuring 16 clean winners, further cements their status as a powerhouse doubles pairing in professional pickleball.
Johns and Tardio, making their debut partnership at Mesa, showed flashes of brilliance despite Tardio’s 17 volleys finding the net. Their path to the finals wasn’t easy, surviving a quarterfinal scare against Tyler Loong and Connor Garnett before dispatching Pablo Tellez and Dylan Frazier in the semis.
The tournament, stop #5 of the 2025 PPA Tour season, delivered plenty of drama beyond the men’s doubles final. Top seeds Hayden Patriquin and Federico Staksrud fell to Alshon and Daescu earlier in the event, while the mixed doubles competition saw Bright and Bar pull off a stunning upset over Waters and Johns.
The 47-shot rally in the men’s doubles final perfectly encapsulated the event’s intensity. While Johns and Tardio won’t partner up at the next tour stop, they’re already planning their reunion for the Texas Open.
Meanwhile, Alshon and Daescu’s successful title defense, worth 1,500 Carvana PPA Tour points, sends a clear message to the rest of the field: the tall guys mean business.
