Global Talent Converges In Vietnam
The Association of Pickleball Players (APP) brought its latest 2026 international stop to Ho Chi Minh City, launching the first leg of the Pickleball DJoy Petrolimex Cup with a stacked international field.
Players from the United States, Australia, and across Asia filled the draws, including more than 20 recently signed APP professionals. The tournament also followed a unique schedule, with mixed doubles kicking off proceedings before singles and gender doubles, culminating in all finals on Sunday.
Key Highlights
- Sofia Sewing and Jack Munro secured double golds, dominating multiple disciplines.
- Vietnam’s Phuc Huynh stormed to men’s singles gold on home soil.
- Domenika Turkovic upset top seed Sewing to win women’s singles.
- Strong global field featured players from the US, Australia, and across Asia.
Men’s Singles: Huynh Dominates On Home Court
The men’s singles draw featured several experienced names, including veteran Kyle Yates, but it was local talent who stole the spotlight.
Pham Tan Sang made an early statement by eliminating Yates, while top seed Phuc Huynh showcased his class throughout the tournament. The Vietnamese star powered through the draw before defeating compatriot Dac Thien Nguyen in straight games (1,3) to secure gold, underlining his growing reputation on the international stage.
Women’s Singles: Turkovic Stuns Top Seed
The women’s singles event largely followed seeding expectations early on, but not without drama. Australia’s Selina Turulja impressed with wins over Nicola Schoeman and Shelby Bates before falling to top seed Sofia Sewing.
In the semifinals, Sewing rebounded from a heavy opening-game loss to defeat Yu-Chieh Hsieh, while Domenika Turkovic dominated Roos van Reek to set up the final. Turkovic then delivered the biggest upset of the event, defeating Sewing to claim the title.
Mixed Doubles: Sewing, Munro Seal Double Golds
Mixed doubles saw the top seeds assert control, with all top eight pairs advancing deep into the draw.
Top seeds Jack Munro and Sofia Sewing proved unstoppable, cruising past Ryler DeHeart and Yu-Chieh Hsieh in the semifinals before overcoming Quang Duong and Vivian Glozman in the final. The victory secured both players a second gold medal for the weekend.
Men’s Doubles: Munro Leads From The Front
In men’s doubles, the semifinals featured several evenly matched teams, but the top seeds rose to the occasion.
Jack Munro and Richard Livornese Jr. edged past DeHeart and Alex Emer, while Quang Duong and Ryan Fu eliminated another strong pairing to reach the final. Munro and Livornese Jr. then capped their campaign with a composed victory to take the title.
Women’s Doubles: Sewing Extends Winning Streak
The women’s doubles competition saw the top two seeded teams dominate from start to finish.
Sofia Sewing and Megan Fudge advanced confidently to the final, where they defeated Shelby Bates and Roos van Reek to lift the trophy. The win marked their third consecutive title on the APP international tour, reinforcing their status as the team to beat.
International Tour Builds Momentum
With competitive draws, emerging local talent, and elite international players, the Vietnam stop highlighted the APP’s growing global reach.
From breakthrough performances to multi-discipline dominance, the event delivered a strong statement as the 2026 tour continues to expand across new markets.
