Reigning champion Katerina Stewart and Jack Munro emerged as the standout performers at the 2026 APP Vlasic Classic Cincinnati, each securing two gold medals as one of the APP Tour’s marquee events came to a close on Sunday. The tournament was crucial for players as qualification for the USA Pickleball National Championships was at stake.
Stewart successfully defended her women’s singles crown before adding a women’s doubles title, while Munro extended his dominance in the men’s doubles category and capped the tournament with a dramatic mixed doubles victory.
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Stewart’s road to a title-winning performance was not easy. She was pushed early by fourth seed Domenika Turkovic, who raced to the first three points of the final. Stewart responded with characteristic composure, taking the opening game 11–6 before cruising to an 11–3 victory in the second.
“It’s been a difficult tournament with the conditions,” Stewart said, referencing the sultry weather at the venue. “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 secured the bronze medal.
The men’s singles final turned out to be a breakthrough moment for top seed Dusty Boyer, who clinched his maiden APP Tour title by defeating fellow top contender Ronan Cameron. Boyer controlled proceedings with precise shot placement and relentless consistency, claiming an 11-5, 11-4 victory to deny Cameron his first gold medal of the season.
“It feels good to finally get one—I’ve lost a few close ones now,” Boyer said. “It’s been a fun week.”
Andre Millet finished with the bronze medal.
Riley-Stewart win women’s doubles title
One of the tournament’s biggest surprises came in the women’s doubles final, where seventh-seeded Riley Bohnert and Stewart upset top seeds and defending champions Megan Fudge and Sofia Sewing. Bohnert and Stewart dominated the opening game 11–3 before surviving a tense second game. Trailing 4-8, they produced a remarkable seven-point run to close out the match 11-8 and claim their first gold medal together.
“I want to shout out the crowd in Cincinnati, you guys were awesome,” Bohnert said. “I also want to shout out my family, they showed up today and it meant the world to me.”
Susannah Barr and Oshiro earned bronze.
In the men’s doubles category, top seeds Richard Livornese Jr. and Munro continued their winning run, securing consecutive APP Tour titles with a commanding 11-4, 11-3 victory over first-time finalists Ronan Cameron and Drake Palm. The experienced duo never allowed their opponents to settle as they successfully defended their status as the division’s top-ranked pairing.
“Cincinnati every year has a great crowd, so Jack and I definitely felt the energy,” Livornese said. “It was a lot of fun.”
Brandon Lane and Robert Slutsky collected bronze.
The tournament concluded with a thrilling mixed doubles final that showcased one of the most dramatic comebacks of the week. Third seeds Jill Braverman and Munro recovered from an 11-2 opening-game defeat against top seeds Sofia Sewing and Casey Diamond before edging the second game 11-8.
The deciding game appeared headed in Sewing and Diamond’s favor when they surged to a 7-2 lead. However, Braverman and Munro mounted a spirited comeback, drawing level at 9-9 before winning the final two points to seal an 11-9 victory and the gold medal.
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Asked what pushed her and Munro over the line, Braverman offered a simple explanation: “The fans.”
Ryler DeHeart and Oshiro claimed the bronze medal, marking Oshiro’s third bronze-medal finish of the tournament.
Beyond the professional competition, the 2026 APP Vlasic Classic also featured action in the AARP Champions (50+) and Masters (60+) divisions, alongside the return of the Humana Cup, the APP’s season-long team competition for professionals aged 50 and above.
