The "MB Hanoi Cup 2026," the top PPA Asia Tour tournament held from April 1–5, 2026 at the My Dinh Indoor Athletics Arena in Hanoi, Vietnam. At this PPA Asia 1000-point tournament, in which more than 25 top U.S. pros competed, Anna Leigh Waters achieved a double title in mixed doubles and women's doubles.
Tournament results summary
| Event | Winner | Runner-up | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Men's singles | Ly Hoang Nam (Vietnam) | — | — |
| Women's singles | Kaitlyn Christian (USA) | — | — |
| Men's Doubles | Gabe Tardio / Ben Johns | — | — |
| Women’s doubles | Anna Leigh Waters / Anna Bright | Tyra Black / Catherine Parenteau | 11-7, 11-5 |
| Mixed doubles | Anna Leigh Waters / Ben Johns | Kaitlyn Christian / Christian Alshon | 11-5, 11-2 |
The biggest shock: Vietnam's Ly Hoang Nam takes the men's singles
The most notable result of this tournament was that local Vietnamese player Ly Hoang Nam won the men's singles. Originally a pro tennis player competing on the ATP Tour, he beat U.S. pros one after another with a huge home crowd behind him.
An international-tournament title for an Asian player in pickleball is rare, and the fact that "a local player beat the pros" is a symbolic event showing the rising competitive level of pickleball across Southeast Asia. His style, repurposing a tennis technical foundation for pickleball, is also drawing attention as a model for spreading the sport in Asia.
Waters: the meaning of a double title on her international debut
For Anna Leigh Waters, this was her "first international pickleball tournament." She withdrew her women's singles entry out of concern for her physical condition, focusing on two events: women's doubles (pairing with Anna Bright) and mixed doubles (pairing with Ben Johns). She won both by commanding scores.
In the mixed doubles final in particular, she beat the Christian/Alshon pair by a wide 11-5, 11-2, proving her U.S. dominance hasn't dropped at all on the international stage. It also drew attention as her first international tournament under the new partnership with Franklin.
The JOOLA HC-40 ball: environmental differences from the U.S. affect play
A notable technical variable at this tournament was the ball used. The JOOLA HC-40 ball was used here, said to be "far slower" than the balls commonly used at U.S. tournaments.
This speed difference directly affects the length of rallies and strategy. How U.S. pros accustomed to a fast ball change their strategy in a "slow-ball environment" is a viewing point unique to the Asia Tour. When the PPA Asia Tour is held in Japan in the future, the difference in the ball used will be an important preparation point for players.
1000 PPA points: value equal to the U.S. tour
As the "PPA Asia 1000," the MB Hanoi Cup awards 1000 points, equal to major tournaments held in the U.S. such as the US Open. This reflects the PPA's stance of not treating Asian tournaments as "lower tier," signaling a commitment to raising the competitive level across Asia.
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Implications for Japanese players
The MB Hanoi Cup results offer Japanese pickleball players several takeaways. First, Asian players are approaching the level where they can beat top pros. Second, the PPA Asia Tour is moving toward holding tournaments in Japan going forward (a Tokyo tournament is scheduled for July 2026). Third, the perspective of "changing strategy based on the type of ball" is a skill that can be applied in domestic Japanese tournaments too.
FAQ
- Q. What is the MB Hanoi Cup?
- A. It's a pro pickleball tournament hosted by the PPA Tour's Asia division. Hanoi's MB Bank serves as title sponsor, and the 2026 edition was held April 1–5 in Hanoi, Vietnam. More than 25 top U.S. players competed, and it's a top-grade Asian tournament awarding 1000 PPA points.
- Q. Is Ly Hoang Nam a tennis player?
- A. Yes. He was originally a pro tennis player on the ATP Tour and is Vietnam's top-ranked domestic tennis player. After switching to pickleball, he has posted strong results in domestic and international tournaments, and at this tournament he won brilliantly in his home city of Hanoi.
- Q. Can I watch a similar tournament in Japan?
- A. The PPA ASIA 500 Sansan TOKYO OPEN is scheduled for July 1–4, 2026 in Tachikawa, Tokyo. It's a rare chance to watch the pros compete domestically.
Source:PPA Tour Asia Official、Pickleball News Asia、VnExpress International
