The first major of the year on the APP Tour is in the books. The Fort Lauderdale Open at The Fort did not disappoint.
There were heavy, swirling winds throughout the weekend, which players really had to adjust to. This caused some very chaotic play in doubles and real strategic thinking in singles.
The Fort continued to show why it is one of the nicest pickleball facilities in the world, with packed crowds throughout the weekend. The first major of the year being held at this brand-new venue just made sense.
Let’s get into the action
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Will Howells wins his first ever triple crown
Howells completed the first triple crown on the APP Tour by a male since August 2022, when JW Johnson completed one. In fact, the last triple crown on the APP Tour was March 2024.
Howells came into the Fort Lauderdale Open as the #1 seed in both men’s doubles and mixed doubles.
Singles
The day started off in singles, against Grayson Goldin. In their previous three matches against one another, Goldin won all three.
Howells was able to turn the tables in Fort Lauderdale, but hitting consistent ground strokes and high level returns, on his way to a three game victory.
Howells won 15-13, 12-15, 15-5, for his first gold medal of the day. This was the second gold medal in singles for Howells, as he previously won in 2024 APP Sacramento.
Men's Doubles
In his next match, Howells played men’s doubles with Jack Munro against William Sobek and Eduardo Irizarry. Howells and Munro won 11-0, 13-11. Yes, you read that right - Howells and Munro got a pickle in a final.
Irizarry and Sobek came back in a vengeance in game two, getting the lead early. They had a game point at 10-8, but Howells and Munro earned a sideout and after some back and forth, Howells and Munro earned the win.
Howells and Munro are undefeated and have four gold medals in 2025, having won Fort Lauderdale, Daytona, Sacramento, and Fort Lauderdale.
Mixed Doubles
Lastly, Howells had to win mixed doubles with Bobbi Oshiro to earn his triple crown. They made quick work of Fudge and Munro, winning 11-4 11-6.
Oshiro seems a perfect partner for Howells, as she is super consistent and has a ton of power with her twoey counter, matched with one of the best overheads in women’s pickleball.
Throughout the entire event, Howells never lost a game in either mixed doubles or men’s doubles. He dominated the field and played extremely well in singles to earn his very well deserved triple crown in Fort Lauderdale.
Yana Newell and Emily Cederquist win their second APP gold together
Cederquist and Newell won the APP Newport Beach last year in July. They also earned silver in APP Dallas.
In Fort Lauderdale, Cederquist and Newell, won 10 of their 11 games, only dropping one game in the quarters. In the Round of 16 they even pickled a really good team in Judit Castillo and Emilia Schmidt.
Simone Jardim and Amanda Hendry played well in the finals, but Newell and Cederquist were just too good. The duo played straight up (meaning they did not stack) and caused chaos for Hendry and Jardim.
After the match, Cederquist and Newell gave credit to "The Hub Team", showing that it takes a village to win and be successful on tour.
I would argue that Emily Cederquist and Yana Newell are two of the most underrated women's players on the APP Tour. They both always have great results and showed their skills in the finals. Both Newell and Cederquist displayed great consistency, superb hands, and a ton of power on volleys and overheads.
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Pei Chuan Kao makes a name for herself in the states with a singles gold
I have known the name of Pei Chuan Kao for nearly two years, basically since I started covering pickleball.
She is originally from Chinese Tapei, but now calls London, England home. Kao has played internationally in England, Asia, and Australia.
Widely considered one of the top three international women in pickleball singles, Kao displayed her abilities in Fort Lauderdale.
Ironically, it took Kao a while to acclimate to the US. She won her first three matches in three games.
- Rd of 32 - Win - Maria Klokotzky - 15-11, 10-15, 15-11
- Rd of 16 - Win - Simone Jardim - 15-6, 13-15, 15-12
- QF - Win - Amanda Hendry - 11-15, 15-11, 15-11
Pei Chuan Kao won the semis over Jessica Warren and the finals over Sofia Sewing in straight games.
She is headed to China to play, before coming back to the states for the US Open and the APP Cincinnati.
Full Results
Women’s Singles
🥇 Pei Chuan Kao
🥈 Sofia Sewing
🥉 Judit Castillo
Men’s Singles
🥇 Will Howells
🥈 Grayson Goldin
🥉 Chris Haworth
Mixed Doubles
🥇 Bobbi Oshiro/Will Howells
🥈 Megan Fudge/Jack Munro
🥉 Jill Braverman/Aiden Schenk
Women’s Doubles
🥇 Emily Cederquist/Yana Newell
🥈 Amanda Hendry/Simone Jardim
🥉 Shelby Bates/Sofia Sewing
Men’s Doubles
🥇 Jack Munro/Will Howells
🥈 William Sobek/Eduardo Irizarry
🥉 Mario Barrientos/Patrick Kawka
