Isha Lakhani and Naimi Mehta Triumph in Pro Women’s Doubles at Indian Open
Victory at the Indian Open
Isha Lakhani and Naimi Mehta emerged victorious in the Pro Women’s Doubles category at the Indian Open, a prestigious PWR 1000 tournament organized by Global Sports and sanctioned by the Indian Pickleball Association (IPA). The event took place at CrossCourts in Hyderabad on April 5. The duo faced off against Pearl Amalsadiwala and Naomi Amalsadiwala, clinching the title with a score of 8-11, 11-8, 11-1. After losing the first game, Isha and Naimi showcased their resilience and skill, dominating the latter two games to secure the gold medal.
The initial game was fiercely contested, with both teams engaging in aggressive rallies, particularly around the kitchen line. Isha and Naimi initially held a slight advantage, but the Amalsadiwala sisters quickly leveled the score. The match remained competitive, with both pairs exchanging points through strategic dinks and rapid exchanges at the net. The Amalsadiwala sisters gained momentum, leading to an 8-5 score. Despite a comeback attempt from Isha and Naimi to tie at 8-8, the sisters maintained their composure to win the game 11-8.
In the second game, the dynamics shifted. Isha and Naimi appeared more focused and took an early lead, although the Amalsadiwala sisters managed to equalize once again. After a tie at 2-2, Isha and Naimi elevated their performance, leveraging improved placement and consistency to pull ahead 5-2, prompting a timeout from their opponents. The sisters fought back to tie the score at 6-6, setting the stage for another nail-biting finish. At 8-8, Isha and Naimi secured critical points to win the game 11-8, forcing a decisive third game.
The final game saw Isha and Naimi take control right from the start. They established an early lead and maintained pressure with their consistent play and strategic positioning. The Amalsadiwala sisters struggled to keep pace as the gap widened, and Isha and Naimi closed the match decisively with an 11-1 victory.
Both teams entered the final undefeated in the group stage, showcasing their exceptional performance throughout the tournament. In the semi-finals, Isha and Naimi triumphed over Khushi Sachdeva and Asmi Sapra with scores of 11-6, 11-4, while the Amalsadiwala sisters defeated Agnimitra and Rakshika Ravi 11-5, 11-4. Agnimitra and Rakshika secured the bronze medal.
The Indian Open attracted over 1,100 participants from 54 categories, with representation from more than 19 countries in previous editions. The Pro Women’s Doubles final exemplified the high level of competition in Indian pickleball.
About the Indian Pickleball Association: The Indian Pickleball Association serves as the official governing body for the sport in India, committed to promoting and organizing pickleball across the nation. The association aims to inspire players of all ages and skill levels through events like the IPA Nationals and is affiliated with the Asian Pickleball Association (APA) and the Global Pickleball Federation (GPF).
About Pickleball World Ranking: The PWR is a national ranking system encompassing all age groups and skill divisions, including singles, doubles, and mixed categories. It acts as the official National Sports Federation Ranking for India, with numerous sanctioned events occurring weekly, helping to identify the top players at various levels and forming the basis for team selections at school, district, state, and national levels.