Acevedo & Hewett Stun McGuffin in Atlanta Thriller | PPA Atlanta Championships 2026
Atlanta Heats Up
Acevedo & Hewett Deliver the Match of the Day
The Veolia Atlanta Pickleball Championships 2026, currently taking place at Life Time Peachtree Corners, delivered several dramatic moments on April 29 as the men’s doubles and singles draws began to take shape.
While several favorites advanced through the early rounds, one match stood out above the rest.
For us, the highlight of the day came in men’s doubles, where Rafa Hewett and Nicolás Acevedo produced one of the most exciting performances of the tournament so far.
The Match of the Day
In a high-level Round of 32 men’s doubles showdown, the duo of Rafa Hewett and Nicolás Acevedo pulled off a major statement win against a team featuring one of the sport’s most recognizable players.
Result
Hewett / Acevedo def. Freeman / McGuffin
12-10, 12-10
From the opening rally, the match delivered intensity, extended exchanges, and creative shot-making on both sides of the net.
Rafa Hewett produced some of the most spectacular moments of the match, including a through-the-legs defensive save followed later by a behind-the-back return during a long rally, igniting the crowd and shifting momentum.
Meanwhile, Nicolás Acevedo proved decisive at the kitchen, finishing multiple rallies with clean and confident put-aways in the most critical moments.
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Defeating a team that includes Tyson McGuffin, one of the most recognizable personalities in professional pickleball, instantly turned this victory into one of the standout results of the early rounds.
Other Notable Men’s Doubles Results
The Round of 32 also produced several competitive matches across the draw:
Haworth / Hunter Johnson
def. Emmrich / Koller
11-4, 5-11, 11-3
Wall / Miyoshi
def. Khlif / Wright
12-10, 11-3
Protsenko / Dekel Bar
def. Truong / Martinez Vich
8-11, 11-5, 11-6
With several strong teams advancing, the men’s doubles bracket is beginning to set up some intriguing matchups in the coming rounds.
Singles Upsets Shake the Draw
The men’s singles draw also saw several surprises, with higher-seeded players falling earlier than expected.
Among the notable results:
Donald Young
def. Christian Alshon
11-5, 11-9
Matthew Barlow
def. John Lucian Goins
11-7, 8-11, 11-3
JW Johnson
def. Jack Sock
11-8, 10-12, 11-7
Cleo Bond
def. Lingwei Kong
10-12, 11-8, 12-10
Kama Shimabukuro
def. Jaume Martinez Vich
11-5, 11-9
Atlanta Is Just Getting Started
As the tournament progresses deeper into the bracket, the PPA Atlanta Championships are beginning to deliver the kind of high-level competition fans expect from one of the most important stops on the professional pickleball calendar.
If the intensity seen on April 29 is any indication, Atlanta may continue producing memorable matches throughout the week.
And if there was any doubt after Tuesday’s action, Hewett and Acevedo have already made their mark on the tournament.
Atlanta Heats Up
Acevedo & Hewett Deliver the Match of the Day
The Veolia Atlanta Pickleball Championships 2026, currently taking place at Life Time Peachtree Corners, delivered several dramatic moments on April 29 as the men’s doubles and singles draws began to take shape.
While several favorites advanced through the early rounds, one match stood out above the rest.
For us, the highlight of the day came in men’s doubles, where Rafa Hewett and Nicolás Acevedo produced one of the most exciting performances of the tournament so far.
The Match of the Day
In a high-level Round of 32 men’s doubles showdown, the duo of Rafa Hewett and Nicolás Acevedo pulled off a major statement win against a team featuring one of the sport’s most recognizable players.
Result
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Hewett / Acevedo def. Freeman / McGuffin
12-10, 12-10
From the opening rally, the match delivered intensity, extended exchanges, and creative shot-making on both sides of the net.
Rafa Hewett produced some of the most spectacular moments of the match, including a through-the-legs defensive save followed later by a behind-the-back return during a long rally, igniting the crowd and shifting momentum.
Meanwhile, Nicolás Acevedo proved decisive at the kitchen, finishing multiple rallies with clean and confident put-aways in the most critical moments.
LOVE PICKLEBALL?
Get Dink Authority Magazine updates, new editions, pro stories and event alerts.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe anytime.
Defeating a team that includes Tyson McGuffin, one of the most recognizable personalities in professional pickleball, instantly turned this victory into one of the standout results of the early rounds.
Other Notable Men’s Doubles Results
The Round of 32 also produced several competitive matches across the draw:
Haworth / Hunter Johnson
def. Emmrich / Koller
11-4, 5-11, 11-3
Wall / Miyoshi
def. Khlif / Wright
12-10, 11-3
Protsenko / Dekel Bar
def. Truong / Martinez Vich
8-11, 11-5, 11-6
With several strong teams advancing, the men’s doubles bracket is beginning to set up some intriguing matchups in the coming rounds.
Singles Upsets Shake the Draw
The men’s singles draw also saw several surprises, with higher-seeded players falling earlier than expected.
Among the notable results:
Donald Young
def. Christian Alshon
11-5, 11-9
Matthew Barlow
def. John Lucian Goins
11-7, 8-11, 11-3
JW Johnson
def. Jack Sock
11-8, 10-12, 11-7
Cleo Bond
def. Lingwei Kong
10-12, 11-8, 12-10
Kama Shimabukuro
def. Jaume Martinez Vich
11-5, 11-9
Atlanta Is Just Getting Started
As the tournament progresses deeper into the bracket, the PPA Atlanta Championships are beginning to deliver the kind of high-level competition fans expect from one of the most important stops on the professional pickleball calendar.
If the intensity seen on April 29 is any indication, Atlanta may continue producing memorable matches throughout the week.
And if there was any doubt after Tuesday’s action, Hewett and Acevedo have already made their mark on the tournament.
