Naimi Mehta and Mihika Yadav Claim Victory: Maharashtra’s Naimi Mehta (DUPR 4.42) and Mihika Yadav (5.54) won in the Open Women’s Doubles at the 4th IPA Nationals. The event took place from January 23 to 26, 2025, at Bennett University in Greater Noida. In a thrilling final, Mehta and Yadav overcame Rajasthan’s Asmi Sapra (DUPR 4.146) and Megha Kapoor (DUPR 4.446) to win the championship.
A Dramatic Final
The second-seed pairing of Mehta and Yadav faced a tough challenge in the final. Sapra and Kapoor started strong, winning the first set 11-2.
However, the Maharashtra duo rallied back, winning the second set 11-1. In a decisive third set, Mehta and Yadav dominated, securing an 11-3 victory to claim the trophy.
Bronze Medal Upset
In the bronze medal match, Shefali Arora (DUPR 3.071) and Nitanya Malik (DUPR 3.93) pulled off a major upset. They defeated top seeds Amrita Mukherjee (DUPR 5.1) and Dipti Srivastava (DUPR 5.128) from West Bengal in a thrilling semi-final, finishing with a score of 15-11.
Mukherjee and Srivastava, the first seeds, had a disappointing tournament, losing 15-2 to Mehta and Yadav in the semi-finals.
Growing Popularity of Pickleball
The 4th IPA Nationals showcased the rising talent in Indian pickleball. The event not only highlighted the skills of the players but also the growing popularity of the sport across the country.
As more athletes participate, events like this will play a crucial role in developing the sport and providing opportunities for aspiring players.
The success of Mehta and Yadav at the IPA Nationals signifies a promising future for Maharashtra in pickleball. Their victory may inspire younger players to pursue the sport, leading to greater achievements in upcoming tournaments.
News in Brief: Naimi Mehta and Mihika Yadav Claim Victory
Maharashtra’s Naimi Mehta and Mihika Yadav won the Open Women’s Doubles title at the 4th IPA Nationals, overcoming Rajasthan’s Asmi Sapra and Megha Kapoor after losing the first set.
The duo rallied to win 11-2, 11-1, and 11-3 in the final. Meanwhile, Shefali Arora and Nitanya Malik upset top seeds Amrita Mukherjee and Dipti Srivastava for the bronze, showcasing the rising talent in Indian pickleball.
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