Vietnam’s Hoang Nam Ly has climbed to a career-high PPA ranking of 14, narrowing the gap with Ben Johns following his magnificent title-winning campaign at the PPA Asia season opener, the MB Hanoi Cup 2026, in Vietnam. The 28-year-old secured his second major singles crown in Hanoi, taking his tally to 3,100 ranking points.
Having transitioned from tennis to pickleball in early 2025, Nam Ly’s rapid progress has placed him just one spot behind Johns, who currently sits 13th in the men’s singles rankings.
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Nam Ly’s title-winning run in Hanoi underlined his growing consistency against top-ranked players. In the quarter-finals, he defeated PPA No. 4 Christian Alshon in a three-game contest, recovering after a challenging second game to win in a tiebreak. He followed it up with a composed performance in the final, beating compatriot Truong Vinh Hien to secure the title.
This was Nam Ly’s second major success on the PPA Asia Tour, having previously won the Hangzhou Open in 2025, where he defeated Hong Kong’s Jack Wong Hong-kit in the final.
His transition from tennis has played a key role in his rise, with his movement, control and reflexes translating effectively into pickleball.
While Nam Ly continues to rise in his career, Johns remains one of the sport’s most accomplished players. The 27-year-old American has won a record 21 Triple Crowns and continues to dominate in doubles and mixed doubles.
But his singles form has not been very promising. At the Sacramento Open on April 15, he suffered a defeat to JW Johnson in the Round of 32. His singles ranking has gone downhill this season due to limited participation, with his last final appearance coming at the Mesa Cup in February. He currently holds 3,587 points in singles.
Vietnam’s emergence in the sport extends beyond Nam Ly. Truong Vinh Hien has also made significant progress, rising to PPA Ranking of 17 with 2,500 points. His performance in Hanoi included a notable win over top seed Federico Staksrud in the semifinals before finishing runner-up to Nam Ly.
With two players now inside the top 20, Vietnam is strengthening its position in the global pickleball. Nam Ly’s steady rise, combined with Hien’s breakthrough performances, reflects the country’s growing presence in the sport at the highest level.
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As the season progresses, the gap between Nam Ly and Ben Johns in men’s singles continues to narrow. While Johns remains a dominant force overall, Nam Ly’s form suggests that further movement in the rankings could follow in the coming months.
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(Written by Evince Das)
