Katerina Stewart and Jack Munro Shine at 2026 APP Vlasic Classic Cincinnati

Dominant Performances by Stewart and Munro

At the conclusion of the 2026 APP Vlasic Classic Cincinnati, reigning champion Katerina Stewart and Jack Munro stood out as the top performers, each clinching two gold medals. This prestigious event was vital for players aiming to qualify for the USA Pickleball National Championships. Stewart successfully defended her title in women's singles and added a women's doubles championship, while Munro showcased his prowess by winning in men's doubles and securing a thrilling victory in mixed doubles.

Stewart faced a tough challenge in her singles final against fourth seed Domenika Turkovic, who quickly took the lead. However, Stewart maintained her composure, winning the first game 11-6 and then dominating the second game 11-3. Reflecting on her performance, Stewart noted, “It’s been a difficult tournament with the conditions. I just told myself I had to give everything, I had to try and get this gold, and I’m happy I came on top with it.” Bobbi Oshiro took home the bronze medal.

The men's singles final marked a significant achievement for top seed Dusty Boyer, who secured his first APP Tour title by defeating Ronan Camron. Boyer displayed exceptional shot placement and consistency, winning with scores of 11-5 and 11-4, denying Camron his first gold of the season. Boyer expressed his relief, stating, “It feels good to finally get one—I’ve lost a few close ones now.” Andre Millet finished in third place.

Women's Doubles Upset

In a surprising turn of events, seventh-seeded Riley Bohnert and Stewart triumphed in the women's doubles final, defeating the top-seeded defending champions Megan Fudge and Sofia Sewing. They dominated the first game 11-3 and, despite trailing in the second, rallied to win 11-8, marking their first gold medal as a team. Bohnert thanked the Cincinnati crowd and her family for their support.

In the men's doubles, top seeds Richard Livornese Jr. and Munro continued their winning streak, claiming another APP Tour title with a decisive 11-4, 11-3 victory over first-time finalists Ronan Camron and Drake Palm. Livornese remarked on the vibrant atmosphere, saying, “Cincinnati every year has a great crowd, so Jack and I definitely felt the energy.” Brandon Lane and Robert Slutsky secured the bronze medal.

The tournament concluded with an exhilarating mixed doubles final, where third seeds Jill Braverman and Munro staged a remarkable comeback after losing the first game 11-2 to top seeds Sofia Sewing and Casey Diamond. They fought back to win the second game 11-8 and, despite trailing 7-2 in the deciding game, leveled the score at 9-9 before clinching the match 11-9. Braverman credited the fans for their support, stating, “The fans pushed us over the line.” Ryler DeHeart and Oshiro took home the bronze, marking Oshiro's third bronze finish of the tournament.

In addition to the main competition, the 2026 APP Vlasic Classic also featured events for the AARP Champions (50+) and Masters (60+) divisions, along with the return of the Humana Cup, a season-long team competition for professionals aged 50 and above.