Key Moments from Bengaluru’s Victory Over Hyderabad: The World Pickleball League continues to showcase thrilling matches as the Bengaluru Jawans secured a convincing 3-1 victory over the Hyderabad Superstars on Saturday in Mumbai. This victory keeps the Jawans on an unbeaten path, while Hyderabad is still in search of their first win in the tournament.
Held at the iconic CCI in Mumbai, the inaugural league features six teams: Mumbai Pickle Power, Chennai Super Champs, Dilli Dilwale, Pune United, Bengaluru Jawans, and Hyderabad Superstars. Each team comprises players from various countries, creating a dynamic mix of youth and experience.
Who says you can’t have 2 good days in a row? The @bengalurujawans have taken the WPBL courts by storm and have emerged as the winners for Tie One Day 2! #WPBL #Pickleball #PickleSetGo pic.twitter.com/SwPtZcdORm
— World Pickleball League (@wpblofficial) January 25, 2025
Match Highlights
The match began with men’s singles, where Bengaluru’s Jack Foster faced off against Hyderabad’s Kuldip Mahajan. Foster dominated the match, racing to a 9-0 lead before closing it out with a decisive 19-6 victory, despite Hyderabad’s efforts to change momentum with a substitution.
In women’s doubles, Bengaluru’s Alejandra Borobia Lopez and Trang Huynh-McClain played against Hyderabad’s Madalina Grigoriu and Ava Cavataio, ending in a rare 8-8 draw that showcased the fierce competition in the league.
The Jawans then strengthened their lead in men’s doubles, with the pairing of Marcello Jardim and Mauro Garcia overcoming Hyderabad’s Ross Whittaker and Max Freeman with a solid 15-6 victory.
The women’s singles match saw Bengaluru’s Alejandra Borobia facing off against Hyderabad’s Karolina Owczarek. Owczarek initially led 7-2, but Borobia mounted an impressive comeback to win 21-10, clinching the overall tie for the Jawans.
Hyderabad managed to secure a win in the mixed doubles match, where Max Freeman and Madalina Grigoriu narrowly defeated Bengaluru’s Jack Foster and Vrushali Thakare 9-7 in a thrilling finish.
Team Standouts
- Bengaluru Jawans: The Jawans have showcased their depth, with standout performances from Jack Foster and Alejandra Borobia, solidifying their position as title contenders.
- Hyderabad Superstars: Despite the loss, Kuldip Mahajan and Karolina Owczarek showed potential, and their mixed doubles pairing demonstrated resilience.
- Mumbai Pickle Power: Featuring players like Mayur Patil and the husband-wife duo of Brandon and Glauka Lane, they are looking to capitalize on their home advantage.
- Chennai Super Champs: With the experienced Joey Farias at the helm and rising star Sonu Vishwakarma on the team, they aim to make a strong impact.
- Dilli Dilwale: Headed by Coco Lococo, the team boasts young talent like Alexa Schull and Isha Lakhani, showcasing a mix of youth and experience.
- Pune United: Under the guidance of Rosti Sobek, Pune United is led by promising players like Vanshik Kapadia and 20-year-old William Sobek.
Looking Ahead
As the league progresses, Bengaluru Jawans remain undefeated and poised as strong title contenders. Hyderabad Superstars will need to regroup and strategize as they continue their campaign.
The World Pickleball League runs until February 2, culminating in a semi-final showdown among the top four teams. Fans can catch all the live action on Sony Sports Ten 2 and FanCode, while tickets for the event are available through Swiggy Genie.
News in Brief: Key Moments from Bengaluru’s Victory Over Hyderabad
Bengaluru Jawans continued their unbeaten run in the World Pickleball League, defeating Hyderabad Superstars 3-1. Jack Foster and Alejandra Borobia starred for Bengaluru, while Hyderabad salvaged a win in mixed doubles.
The league features six teams and culminates in semi-finals on February 2. Fans can catch live action on Sony Sports Ten 2 and FanCode, with tickets available through Swiggy Genie.
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