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Pune United Edge Out Mumbai Pickle Power in Thrilling Tie-Breaker to Reach World Pickleball League Final

Pune United Edge Out Mumbai Pickle Power in Thrilling Tie-Breaker to Reach World Pickleball League Final
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Pune United vs Mumbai Pickle Power in the semi-finals. (Photo Credit: World Pickleball League)

By

The Bridge Desk

Updated: 2 Feb 2025 6:47 AM GMT

Pune United clinched a dramatic victory over Mumbai Pickle Power in an electrifying semi-final that went down to the wire, with a tie-breaker ultimately deciding their fate. With this stunning result, Pune United now set up a high-stakes showdown against Atlee’s Bengaluru Jawans in the World Pickleball League Final tomorrow, with USD 100,000 in prize money on the line.

The semi-final saw intense battles across all categories. The men’s singles match opened proceedings with a fierce contest between Bartosz Karbownik (Mumbai) and William Sobek (Pune United). Sobek surged to a 9-6 halftime lead, but Karbownik fought back, pushing the match to an edge-of-the-seat 16-16 draw.

Pune United took control in the women’s doubles, as Molly O’Donoghue and Talia Saunders dominated Sabrina Mendez and Katie Morris from the outset, racing to a 10-4 halftime lead before sealing a 14-9 victory.

Mumbai struck back in the men’s doubles, where Kim Eung Gwon and Mayur Patil battled Vanshik Kapadia and Louis Laville. A tightly contested first half saw the teams locked at 7-7, but Mumbai edged ahead in the second half to clinch a 10-8 win.

The women’s singles match was another rollercoaster. Pune’s Brooke Revuelta came from behind to take the lead at halftime, but Mihae Kwon (Mumbai) mounted a spirited comeback. As the match headed into its final moments, a decisive push from Katie Morris via Pickle Play helped Mumbai claim a dramatic 15-14 victory, putting them 2-1 ahead in the tie.

With their tournament hopes on the line, Pune United responded in the mixed doubles, where Molly O’Donoghue and Louis Laville fought back after a slow start to defeat Kim Eung Gwon and Mihae Kwon 11-6, forcing the tie into a 2-2 deadlock—and sending the match into a tie-breaker.

The tie-breaker, played in the mixed doubles format with the same pairs, followed rally scoring rules, with the first team to reach seven points declared the winner. In a nerve-wracking finish, Pune United triumphed 7-5, securing their place in the final.

After days of high-octane battles, momentum swings, and nail-biting finishes, it all comes down to one last clash. The inaugural World Pickleball League Final takes place at Brabourne Stadium, Mumbai, at 6 PM on 2nd February, with $100,000 at stake for the winners and $50,000 for the runners-up.

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