World Padel League Day 3: Thrilling Matches and Semi-Final Spots Secured
Exciting Day 3 at the World Padel League
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], August 15: The third day of the World Padel League showcased a mix of dominant performances and intense finishes. The Khan Tigers achieved a decisive 19-10 victory over the Vernost Jaguars, while the defending champions, SG Pipers Cheetahs, narrowly defeated the Vedanta Leopards with a score of 15-14, securing their place in the semi-finals alongside Game Changers Lions and Hubtown Panorama Panthers.
Match 5: Khan Tigers vs Vernost Jaguars
The Tigers started strong in the women's doubles, with Alejandra Salazar and Veronica Virseda overwhelming Lucia Martinez and Giorgia Marchetti with a 6-0 score. The second set featured a battle between youth and experience, as Rama Valenzuela and Pol Hernandez from the Jaguars faced off against the seasoned Tigers duo of Lucho Capra and Juan Bellauti. In a tense tiebreak, the Tigers managed to clinch the set 7-6. Capra noted that effective communication on the court was crucial for adjusting their strategy under pressure. The final set had Jose Rico and Bellauti competing against siblings Miguel and Nuno Deus. Despite a strong effort from the siblings, the Tigers secured a 6-4 win, culminating in their 19-10 overall victory.
This season marked its first Code of Conduct (CoC) violation—Level 1: Ignoring an Umpire's Instructions—when Lucho Capra and Juan Belluati arrived 10 minutes late for their set. A level 2 warning could result in a deduction of 2 points from their total score.
Match 6: Vedanta Leopards vs SG Pipers Cheetahs
The opening men's doubles featured Ignacio Piotto and Javi Mora challenging Maxi Sanchez and Victor Ruiz in a tightly contested set, but the Cheetahs' pair held their ground to win 6-4. The women's doubles showcased three of the world's top ten players, with Tamara Icardo and Marta Ortega battling Sofia Araujo and Claudia Fernandez in a high-stakes match. The Cheetahs once again secured the crucial points, winning 6-4. The final men's doubles saw Jairo Bautista and Sanyo face off against Fede Mourino and Teo Zapata in a set characterized by determination and skill. Although the Leopards managed to win it 6-3, the Cheetahs' overall consistency allowed them to triumph 15-14, ensuring their advancement to the semi-finals.
As the tournament progresses, Friday will see the knockout phase begin, with the Vedanta Leopards facing the Vernost Jaguars in the Eliminator, followed by the Khan Tigers competing against the winner of the Eliminator in the Qualifier. Fans can anticipate thrilling padel action, critical points at stake, and nail-biting finishes as teams vie for the final semi-final spot. Here’s the current standings heading into the knockout stage of the tournament.