New Delhi: The PWR DUPR India Masters continued with electrifying energy and renewed vigour on Friday at the iconic Delhi Lawn Tennis Association (DLTA) courts. After a much-anticipated start to one of the most exciting pickleball tournaments in Indian history, Day 2 of the PWR DUPR India Masters focused on the Doubles’ categories, celebrating the camaraderie within the pickleball community worldwide.
Throughout the day, Pickleball’s high-caliber athletes competed in the Men’s Doubles and Women’s Doubles categories in the Open (Pro) division. Age group categories for players U-16 (boys and girls singles), U-16 (mixed doubles), and doubles for 35+ and 50+, as well as an Intermediate bracket, also allowed players across ages and levels to compete, underlining pickleball’s vast appeal, inclusivity and community-driven spirit, as ardent fans and co-athletes watched eagerly from the stands.
“It’s remarkable to see just how India’s pickleball scene is growing day-by-day,” said Tournament Director Mihir Khandelwal. “The skill Indian athletes are showing is commendable as they challenge, and win against, some of the best international players.”
Competition galore
In the highly competitive Pro division, fans witnessed India’s Armaan Bhatia and Harsh Mehta triumph over the Indian-Australian duo of Jai Grewal and Jason Taylor in the Men’s category as they displayed utmost grace and skill with each shot they played on the court. Bhatia-Mehta scored an impressive 11-3 in the first game, which Taylor-Grewal responded with a massive 7-0 lead in the second game. The match took an intense turn as Bhatia-Mehta fought back, cinching a win with the slightest margin of 11-9, qualifying for the finals on October 27, 2024. Also qualifying for the finals were the Australian-American duo of Mitchell Hargreaves and Roman Estareja, who won against the American pair of Dusty Boyer and Naveen Beasley. The match was a one-sided affair, with Hargreaves and Estareja winning both games fair and square, winning the match.
In the Pro Women’s category, Taiwan-American duo Yuchieh Hsieh and Xiao Yi Wang Beckvall won against Australia’s Somer Dallabona and Sarah Burr. The power-packed match was filled with twists and turns. But with a short break in play, Hsieh and Wang Beckvall took their game a notch up, defeating their opponents and winning the match. On the other hand, the Dutch/Australian duo Roos Van Reek and Kaitlynn Hart secured a spot in the finals as they defeated the Australian-Filipino pair of Emilia Schmidt and Sarah J. Lim in a strong performance. Van Reek and Hart won the first set with a huge 11-3 win, maintaining their lead as they won the second game, too.
“Day 2 of the tournament has only reaffirmed our faith that pickleball is here to stay. The power-packed matches, played with utmost grace and sportsmanship, are not only bringing pickleball fans from the country together under one roof, but enthusiasts too, as they cheer each other on,” said Pranav Kohi, CEO of PWR.
The Road Ahead
With an incredible second day in the books, the PWR DUPR India Masters has maintained its high standard for the matches to come. Mixed doubles categories will be underway soon, with top-tier talent from around the world ready to battle it out on the DLTA courts. The global and local pickleball communities continue to rally around this event, eagerly following each day’s developments as the tournament progresses.
The PWR DUPR India Masters will be live broadcast on Zoom and Mirror Now and streamed on Times Now (TimesNow.in), Pickleball Now (pickleballnow.in), YouTube channels @ZoomTV, and @SportsNowHindi. The live broadcast will start at 12 noon on 24th October and 25th October and at 3:00 pm on 26th October and 27th October. The finals on Sunday October 27th will also be telecast on DD Sports, 4:00 pm onwards
For all official scores, detailed match statistics, and live updates, visit play.pwr.global. Day 3 promises more action, camaraderie, and powerful matches, as the best players in the sport continue to strive for victory on Indian soil.
