Vietnam’s Luc Pham Stuns Chris Haworth, Books Quarterfinal Spot in Rate Las Vegas Open
Vietnamese pickleball superstar Luc Pham has announced himself on the PPA Tour in emphatic fashion. The 23‑year‑old, seeded 14th, toppled reigning champion and top seed Chris Haworth in the Round of 16 at the Rate Las Vegas Open, 4‑11, 11‑7, 11‑8. It was a comeback that not only ended Haworth’s title defence but also marked the biggest singles win of Pham’s career to date.
The match began with Haworth dictating play, his trademark aggression pushing Pham onto the back foot. Dropping the opening game 4‑11, the underdog looked in danger of being brushed aside. Yet Pham responded with composure, leaning on sharp baseline placement and deft touches at the net to disrupt Haworth’s rhythm. Once he found his range, the tide turned. Pham levelled the contest in the second game and carried that momentum into the decider, closing out the upset with authority.
Building Momentum on Tour
This victory is not an isolated flash. Since turning professional in 2025, Pham has steadily climbed the singles rankings, now sitting inside the top 20. His silver medal at the Ho Chi Minh City Open earlier this year hinted at his growing credentials, and Las Vegas has now provided the breakthrough moment on American soil.
Pham’s path to the Round of 16 was convincing: he swept past Aanik Lohani 11‑1, 11‑7, and rallied from a game down to beat Troy Akin 7‑11, 11‑8, 11‑6. Each performance reinforced the sense of a player finding his stride.
Next up is No. 8 seed John Lucian Goins, a seasoned campaigner who will test Pham’s ability to back up a marquee win. A victory would propel the Los Angeles‑based pro into his first PPA semi‑final in the United States—a milestone that would further cement his rise.
Pham’s schedule remains busy. He is also competing in doubles alongside Mohaned Alhouni, with the pair set to face Goins and Elliott Schupp. But it is the singles run that has captured attention, particularly after dispatching the No. 1 seed.
Luc Pham: A Name No Longer Under the Radar
For many fans, Pham was still a relatively unknown figure before this week, although he did beat another pickleball powerhouse in Dylan Frazier back in February at the PPA Carvana Mesa Cup—ironically, the first PPA Tour event Haworth won since jumping ship from the APP to the PPA. That perception about Pham has changed. Haworth, an eight‑time PPA singles champion, rarely falters early in tournaments. To beat him in Las Vegas is to make a statement that cannot be ignored.
Luc Pham may not yet have the résumé of the sport’s established stars, but he has shown he belongs in their company. His victory is more than an upset—it is a signal that a new contender has arrived, and the rest of the bracket will be watching closely.
