Mehta Siblings Triumph at Indian Open Pro Mixed Doubles Championship
Victory at the Indian Open
Harsh Mehta and Naimi Mehta clinched the Pro Mixed Doubles championship at the Indian Open, a PWR 1000 event sanctioned by the Indian Pickleball Association (IPA) and hosted by Global Sports at CrossCourts in Hyderabad. The siblings triumphed over Arjun Singh and Naomi Amalsadiwala with scores of 10-11, 11-2, 11-6 in a thrilling final.
The first game was intense, showcasing high-level pickleball from both teams. Harsh and Naimi began with a strong performance, establishing an early lead through strategic play at the kitchen line. However, Arjun and Naomi fought back, leveling the score at 4-4 with consistent rallies. The Mehta siblings regained their advantage, moving ahead to 10-6, but Arjun's remarkable comeback, aided by Naomi’s effective lobs, allowed them to equalize at 10-10 before clinching the game 11-10.
The second game saw a dramatic shift in control. Harsh and Naimi dominated, quickly racing to a 5-0 lead, prompting an early timeout from their opponents. Their experience shone through as they executed precise dinks and well-placed shots. Despite Arjun's impressive around-the-post winner, the Mehta siblings maintained their dominance, winning the game decisively at 11-2.
In the final game, Harsh and Naimi continued their momentum, initially taking the lead. Although Arjun and Naomi managed to level the score briefly, the Mehta siblings responded with poise. Harsh's aggressive positioning and Naimi's controlled placements allowed them to regain the lead and extend it to 10-6, ultimately sealing the match with an 11-6 victory.
Both teams entered the final undefeated in the group stage, highlighting their consistency throughout the tournament. In the semi-finals, Harsh and Naimi defeated Yuvraj Rui and Agnimitra 11-5, 11-7, while Arjun and Naomi overcame Pearl Amalsadiwala and Divyanshu Kataria 11-10, 11-9.
This victory added another gold medal to the Mehta siblings' achievements at the tournament. Arjun Singh also had a commendable performance, securing a gold in men's doubles alongside Harsh, while Naomi Amalsadiwala finished with two silver medals.
The Indian Open attracted over 1,100 participants from more than 19 countries across 54 categories, underscoring its growing prominence in the global pickleball scene.