World Pickleball League: Hyderabad Superstars edge Pune United in a thrilling tie

Hyderabad Superstars registered a resounding 4-1 victory over Pune United in the World Pickleball League on Sunday evening.

The tie showcased Hyderabad’s strength and resilience, with Vanshik Kapadia delivering standout performances for Pune despite their defeat.

The men’s singles kicked off the tie with Pune’s William Sobek taking on Hyderabad’s Max Freeman. Sobek displayed incredible determination, rallying from a 2-9 deficit to level the score at 9-9 with a brilliant forehand. However, Freeman’s consistent forehands and mesmerizing stroke play ultimately secured a 22-17 win, giving Hyderabad an early lead.

The women’s doubles saw Hyderabad’s pair dominate proceedings, maintaining a comfortable lead throughout and cruising to a 12-4 victory. This gave Hyderabad a 2-0 lead.

The men’s doubles match between Vanshik Kapadia & Louis Laville of Pune and Max Freeman & Ben Cawston of Hyderabad proved to be an intense battle. Pune initially surged to an 8-2 lead, but Hyderabad fought back to tie it at 10-10. In a tense finish, Pune edged out Hyderabad 11-10, reducing the deficit to 2-1.

The women’s singles match brought speed and excitement as Pune’s Mollie Knaggs faced Hyderabad’s Karolina Owczarek. Unfortunately, medical timeout for Knaggs ended the match prematurely, handing Hyderabad the win and taking the tie out of Pune’s reach at 3-1.

In the mixed doubles, Hyderabad’s Ross Whittaker and Ava Cavataio overcame Pune’s Vanshik Kapadia and Brooke Revuelta in a thrilling match. Despite Kapadia’s exceptional effort, Hyderabad emerged victorious with a 13-9 scoreline, sealing the tie with a commanding 4-1 finish.

Hyderabad Superstars’ well-rounded team performance marked their first win of the season, while Pune United will aim to recover and bounce back in their upcoming fixtures.