Synopsis
In a gripping semifinal clash, Pune United defeated Mumbai Pickle Power in a tie-breaker, earning a place in the WPBL final against Bengaluru Jawans. Despite strong performances from Mumbai, they fell short in a competitive match at Brabourne Stadium.Key Takeaways
- Pune United advances to the WPBL final.
- Mumbai Pickle Power faced key player absences.
- The semifinal ended in a tie-breaker after a 2-2 draw.
- Outstanding performances showcased throughout the match.
- Both teams displayed resilience and competitive spirit.
Mumbai, Feb 1 (NationPress) Pune United triumphed over Mumbai Pickle Power in a thrilling tie-breaker, securing their spot in the final of the World Pickleball League (WPBL) here on Saturday. The top-performing Mumbai Pickle Power team aimed to conclude their remarkable WPBL campaign with a semifinal victory, but they faced an unexpected setback against Pune United at Brabourne Stadium.
Pune United will clash with Bengaluru Jawans in the final scheduled for Sunday.
The second semifinal was a captivating back-and-forth contest, ending regulation time at 2-2 before heading to tie-breakers. Mihae Kwon and Kim Eung Gwon fought valiantly for a spot in the final, but Molly O’Donoghue and Louis Laville managed to secure a 7-5 victory.
Mumbai Pickle Power entered the match without their star players Brandon Lane and Glauka Carvajal Lane, resulting in Bartosz Karbownik taking on William Sobek in the men’s singles encounter.
Karbownik showcased a unique flair, with the match tied at 16-16, marking his second tie of the tournament after a similar score against Sonu Vishwakarma in a previous clash with the Chennai Super Champs.
Pune United initially took the lead as the duo of Molly O’Donoghue and Talia Saunders overcame Sabrina Dominguez and Katie Morris with a 14-9 score. Pune seized control early, building a significant lead, but Sabrina and Morris fought back in the closing minutes, ultimately falling short.
However, Mumbai Pickle Power rebounded in the next two matches. Mayur Patil and Kim Eung Gwon delivered an outstanding performance in men’s doubles against Vanshik Kapadia and Louis Laville, clinching an 11-8 victory filled with thrilling rallies that kept the crowd on the edge of their seats.
Mihae Kwon capitalized on this momentum, winning 15-14 against Brooke Revuelta in women’s singles. Mihae showcased her agility on the court, executing powerful smashes that Revuelta struggled to counter. Although Mihae bounced back from an early deficit for a crucial win, their mixed doubles match with Kim ended in an 11-6 defeat against Molly O’Donoghue and Louis Laville, sending the match into tie-breakers where the first team to reach seven points advanced to the finals.
At one point in the final match, Mumbai trailed 4-1, but Kim and Mihae regained their footing to tie the game at 4-4. Nevertheless, a quick series of points tilted the match in Pune’s favor, yet Mumbai Pickle Power exited the tournament with pride.
Brief Scores
Bartosz Karbownik drew 16-16 with William Sobek
Sabrina Dominguez/Katie Morris lost 9-14 to Molly O’Donoghue/Talia Saunders
Mayur Patil/Kim Eung Gwon won 11-8 against Vanshik Kapadia/Louis Laville
Mihae Kwon won 15-14 against Brooke Revuelta
Mihae Kwon/Kim Eung Gwon lost 11-6 against Molly O’Donoghue/Louis Laville.
