HANOI, VIETNAM — The curtains have closed on a historic week in the capital of Vietnam. The MB Hanoi Cup 2026 (a PPA Asia 1000 event) concluded with a "Championship Sunday" that lived up to every ounce of its billing.
Day 5 was a masterclass in professional pickleball. From local heroes cementing their legacies to international superstars proving why they sit at the top of the world rankings, here are the five biggest stories from the final day in Hanoi.
The Queen of Pickleball Claims Her Asian Crown
Anna Leigh Waters (ALW) made her PPA Tour Asia debut one for the history books. Often regarded as the greatest to ever play the game, ALW secured Double Gold in Hanoi.
Alongside Anna Bright, she extended their legendary 18-final winning streak, defeating Tyra Black and Catherine Parenteau (11-7, 11-5). Later in the day, she partnered with Ben Johns to dominate the Mixed Doubles final against Kaitlyn Christian and Christian Alshon (11-5, 11-2).
Hoang Nam Ly Goes Back-to-Back
The My Dinh Indoor Athletics Arena erupted as Vietnam’s own Hoang Nam Ly continued his reign over Asian singles. After claiming the title in Hangzhou in 2025, the former tennis star proved he is the leading force in the region's singles circuit.
Ly’s performance was clinical, but the victory carried extra weight due to his opponent, Hien Truong. The matchup served as a significant rematch for the two top Vietnamese competitors, whose previous encounters have been marked by high intensity and competitive friction.
Vietnam #1 vs. The Challenger
Comments
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!