Eric Oncins and Tyra Black Triumph at Sacramento Open

Historic Victory for Oncins and Black

In their debut tournament together, Eric Oncins and Tyra Black seized the opportunity presented by the absence of top female player Anna Leigh Waters, securing their first gold medal at the PPA Tour during the Sacramento Open. The final, held on April 20, was a thrilling five-game match where Oncins and Black showcased remarkable resilience, overcoming the top-seeded pair of Jorja Johnson and JW Johnson with scores of 11-7, 6-11, 3-11, 11-8, 11-8.

This victory represents a pivotal moment for Oncins, whose career has seen a rapid ascent over the last two years. Just last year, he faced challenges breaking into the elite ranks and was not selected in the MLP Premier Level draft. However, his consistent improvement in the PPA rankings has been notable, and this gold medal marks the end of a long wait for a significant title.

Entering the tournament as the fourth seed, Oncins and Black faced tough competition right from the start. They demonstrated their tenacity with narrow victories in the early rounds, winning 12-10 and 11-9. Their most challenging match came in the semifinals against the second-seeded duo of Parris Todd and Andrei Daescu, where they prevailed in a tense third game, winning 11-7 to secure their spot in the final.

The championship match was a rollercoaster of momentum shifts. After winning the first game, Oncins and Black found themselves trailing as the Johnson siblings took a 2-1 lead. With the title seemingly within reach for the Johnsons, Oncins and Black rallied, winning two consecutive games at 11-8 to clinch the championship. While Black is already a well-established player in the top five of women's pickleball, Oncins is making his mark, now positioned within the men's top 10 and aiming for the top five. This breakthrough victory could herald a new chapter in his career.