HANOI, VIETNAM – Semifinal Saturday at the MB Hanoi Cup 2026 will be remembered as the day Vietnamese pickleball truly arrived on the global stage. In a series of electrifying matches that silenced skeptics and sent the home crowd into a frenzy, local favorites dismantled world rankings to secure a historic all-Vietnamese Men’s Singles final.
The Giant Slayer: Hien Truong Upsets World No. 2
The headline of the day belongs to Vietnam’s top player, Hien Truong. In a rematch of the 2025 Hangzhou Open bronze medal match, Truong faced the tournament’s #1 seed and World No. 2, Federico Staksrud.
While Staksrud was the heavy favorite, Truong utilized the humid Hanoi conditions and a relentless attacking style to secure a stunning 11-7, 4-11, 11-5 victory. After a dominant second game from Staksrud, many expected the veteran to close it out, but Truong found another gear in the third, painting the lines and forcing errors from the world number two.
The result sends Staksrud to the Bronze Medal Match against Dylan Frazier, while Truong moves one step closer to his first major title.
An All-Vietnamese Final
The celebration for the host nation didn't stop with Truong. On the other side of the bracket, Hoang Nam Ly (fresh off a gold medal in Hangzhou) showed why he is considered a rising force in the sport. Ly cruised past the formidable Dylan Frazier with a clinical 11-5, 11-6 performance.
With both Truong and Ly advancing, Sunday will feature an all-Vietnamese Men's Singles final. Regardless of the outcome, a local hero will lift the trophy on home soil, marking a watershed moment for the sport's growth in Southeast Asia.
Mixed Doubles: Alshon and Christian Strike Again
Christian Alshon and Kaitlyn Christian continued their "giant-killing" streak by knocking out the #2 seeds, Anna Bright and Hayden Patriquin.
In a high-octane match defined by rapid-fire hand battles at the kitchen, Alshon and Christian held their nerve to win 11-9, 11-8. This victory is particularly sweet for the duo, who lost to Bright in a previous final in Malaysia.
They now move on to face the ultimate test: World No. 1s Anna Leigh Waters and Ben Johns in the Gold Medal Match.
Men’s Doubles: A Test for the Titans
While the singles seeds fell, the Men’s Doubles favorites narrowly avoided disaster. Tama Shimabukuro and Jonathan Truong pushed the #2 seeds, Federico Staksrud and Hayden Patriquin, to the absolute limit.
The Vietnamese-American duo managed to steal a set from the favorites, showcasing incredible defensive lobs and counter-attacks. However, Staksrud's experience eventually shone through, allowing them to advance to the final.
They are set for a blockbuster showdown against the #1 seeds, Gabriel Tardio and Ben Johns, who dominated their semi-final match, dropping only six points in total.
Business as Usual for the GOATs
In Women’s Doubles, the "G.O.A.T." pairing of Anna Leigh Waters and Anna Bright looked untouchable. They dismantled the veteran team of Tina Pisnik and Jessie Irvine with scores of 11-3, 11-2.
They advance to the Gold Medal Match, where they will face the high-energy duo of Tyra Hurricane Black and Catherine Parenteau. Parenteau and Black have looked sharp all week, but they will need a near-perfect game to dethrone the tournament favorites.
Championship Sunday Lineup
With five finals locked in, the stage is set for a historic conclusion to the MB Hanoi Cup.
- Men’s Singles: Hien Truong vs. Hoang Nam Ly
- Women’s Singles: Brooke Buckner vs. Kaitlyn Christian
- Mixed Doubles: Anna Leigh Waters & Ben Johns vs. Kaitlyn Christian & Christian Alshon
- Men’s Doubles: Gabriel Tardio & Ben Johns vs. Hayden Patriquin & Federico Staksrud
- Women’s Doubles: Anna Leigh Waters & Anna Bright vs. Tyra Hurricane Black & Catherine Parenteau
Action begins Sunday at 8:00 AM (GMT+7) with Bronze medal matches, followed by the Gold Medal sessions starting at 1:00 PM.
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