Sewing And Munro Continue Dominance In New Global Sports Alliance International Pickleball Tour With Two Golds In Vietnam

Pickleball Vietnam gold: Sewing and Munro sweep doubles titles in Ho Chi Minh City
James Okafor | GlobalBeat

Americans Lucy Sewing and Deken Munro captured both women’s and mixed doubles gold medals at the Global Sports Alliance International Pickleball Tour stop in Vietnam, extending their season-long dominance with victories announced Sunday in Ho Chi Minh City.

The pair claimed two of the three gold medals contested during the tour’s inaugural Vietnamese event, marking their fourth consecutive tournament sweep in Asia.

The results solidified their positions atop the season standings with six weeks remaining in the international circuit that launched in January. Organizers said the Vietnam stop attracted 312 competitors from 27 countries, making it the largest pickleball event staged in Southeast Asia.

Sewing and Munro first teamed in the mixed doubles bracket, defeating Canadian siblings Ryan and Emma Lawson 11-7, 11-9 in a final that lasted 47 minutes. The Americans lost only one game throughout the tournament.

“They played exceptional pickleball today,” Lawson told reporters after the final. “Their court coverage and shot placement were at another level.”

The victory marked Sewing and Munro’s third consecutive mixed doubles title since the tour began. They have compiled a 24-1 record in international competition this year.

In women’s doubles, Sewing partnered with American veteran Sarah Baker to claim gold over Taiwan’s Chen sisters, Mei-Ling and Hsiao-Wen. The 11-4, 11-6 victory required just 33 minutes.

Baker, 38, collected her first international title since returning from maternity leave in March. She called the partnership “a perfect fit” and credited Sewing’s aggressive style for creating opportunities throughout the tournament.

Munro fell short in men’s doubles, losing in the semifinals with partner Marcus Thompson to eventual champions Juan Rodriguez and Diego Silva of Spain. Rodriguez and Silva defeated Japanese veterans Kohei Tanaka and Takeshi Yamamoto 11-8, 9-11, 11-7 in the championship match.

The Spanish victory represented their first title of the season and moved them into second place in the standings behind American duo Thompson and Munro.

Organizers constructed 24 temporary courts inside the Phu Tho Indoor Stadium for the four-day event. Tournament director Lisa Chen said spectator turnout exceeded expectations with more than 8,000 fans attending sessions.

“We’re thrilled with the reception pickleball received here,” Chen told reporters. “The Vietnamese crowd was knowledgeable and enthusiastic.”

The Vietnam stop offered $75,000 in total prize money, distributed across five competitive divisions. Winners collected $8,000 per team, with additional ranking points toward qualification for December’s tour finals in Dubai.

Sewing has now earned $42,000 in prize money this season, while Munro trails slightly at $38,500. Both players qualified for Dubai with two events remaining in the regular season schedule.

Local Vietnamese competitors made their presence felt despite failing to reach medal rounds. Seventeen-year-old phenom Linh Nguyen pushed Baker to three games in women’s singles before falling 11-8 in the deciding game.

“Linh represents the future of pickleball in Vietnam,” said national team coach Minh Tran. “Her performance here will inspire a new generation.”

The Global Sports Alliance launched its international tour with stops planned across Asia, Europe, and North America. Vietnam marked the fifth destination following events in Singapore, Seoul, Tokyo, and Bangkok.

Background

Pickleball participation has surged globally since 2020, with the Sports & Fitness Industry Association reporting 36.5 million players worldwide. The International Pickleball Federation now counts 70 member countries, up from 37 in 2021.

Traditional powerhouses like the United States and Canada dominated early international competition. Asian nations have invested heavily in development programs, with Thailand and Taiwan producing competitive players capable of challenging established leaders.

Vietnam’s pickleball federation formed in 2022 with government support to promote the sport nationally. The country now boasts 12,000 registered players across 34 clubs, according to federation president Quang Pham.

What’s Next

The tour moves to Amsterdam for its European debut from July 18-21, followed by the regular season finale in Toronto during August. The top 16 teams in each discipline qualify for Dubai finals where $500,000 in prize money will be distributed.

Sewing and Munro plan to compete in both remaining events despite having secured Dubai qualification. “We want to maintain momentum,” Sewing told reporters. “Every tournament helps us refine our game.”

The rapid expansion places pressure on organizers to maintain competitive balance while attracting new markets. Tour commissioner Richard Walton said 12 additional countries have expressed interest in hosting events next season.

Competitive tension continues building between North American veterans and emerging Asian talent. Taiwan’s Chen sisters, despite Sunday’s loss, have demonstrated they can challenge established pairs with their defensive style and court chemistry.

The Spain-Japan men’s doubles final showcased pickleball’s increasing technical sophistication. Rodriguez credited sports science and video analysis for narrowing skill gaps between established and developing pickleball nations.