The FIP Promotions India Paddle Open got off to a great start at Bennett University with players like Digvijay Pratap Singh, Miguel Vega, Aryan Goves, Rahul Motwani and Mohit Dahiya performing brilliantly on the first day. This is a historic moment for the sport. India’s first international padel tournament and launch of CUPRA FIP Tour in the country. This tournament, which will run from 21st to 24th November, is being organized in the state-of-the-art padel court of Bennett University, Greater Noida.
Sanctioned by FIP, the international governing body for padel and organized by Padel League Private Limited (a subsidiary of PTL Sports Group) with the support of Times Group, the event is a major milestone in the development of padel in India. With top Indian talent as well as a variety of international athletes representing countries such as Spain, Japan, Netherlands, France, Italy and Iran, the tournament promises to be an exciting showcase of skill and sportsmanship.
Speaking to the participating athletes and enthusiastic spectators, Mr. Vineet Jain, Managing Director, The Times Group, said, “Bennett University is fast becoming a premier destination for the new-age sports that have taken the world by storm . I am delighted to welcome you all to the first ever International Padel event in India. It is an honor to host some of the best padel athletes from around the world along with top players from India at the state-of-the-art Bennett University campus for the CUPRA FIP Tour Promotion India Padel Open.
He further added, “It is a matter of pride for all of us at The Times Group that our own Bennett University – a hub of budding athletes and academic excellence – is fast becoming a premier destination for the new-age sports that has captured the imagination of the world. It has created a stir. From the storm. Just a month ago, we hosted some of the world’s top pickleball players for exhibition matches following a global pickleball tournament co-organized by The Times Group. I look forward to some very exciting games ahead and wish all the participants the best of luck in the tournament.”
Indian paddle athletes had 9 teams advance to the Round of 16 due to their impressive performance in the qualifying round on the first day. The semi-finals and finals on 23 and 24 November will be broadcast live on Zoom TV and live-streamed on FIP’s YouTube channel. ,
Strong performances were seen on both the courts on the first day of the tournament. India’s Mohit Dahiya and his partner Marc Berniles Garcia of Spain won in straight sets against the Indian pair of Aditya Jagtab and Aryan Hemdev with the score of 6-4, 6-1. The Sood brothers (Chandril and Lakshit) displayed exceptional skill to win 6-0, 4-6, 6-2 in a thrilling encounter against Pulkit Mishra and Vivek Shaukeen. And agility from both sides. In the all-India matches, Chaitanya Shah and Vikram Shah defeated Kunal Chadha and Deepak Arora in straight sets 6–1, 6–0; Arjun Uppal and Rishi Kapoor beat Shaun Joseph and Abhijeet Dangat 6-1, 6-1; Aryan Goves and Rahul Motwani defeated Utsav Birla and Hardik Kashyap 6-0, 6-0. Also, Famaz Shanavas and Austin Varghese defeated Nikhil Sai Kodali (India) and Adit Patel (Great Britain) with ease 6-4, 6-1.
Former tennis player Digvijay Pratap Singh made a brilliant start with Spain’s Miguel Vega Martin and displayed tactical brilliance to win in straight sets (6-2, 6-1) over wild card entries Rakshit Chauhan and Param. Yadav.
Match Result:
Central Court:
Match 1: Chandril Sood and Lakshit Sood (India) beat Pulkit Mishra and Vivek Shaukeen (India): 6-0, 4-6, 6-2
Match 2: Chaitanya Shah and Vikram Shah beat Kunal Chadha and Deepak Arora (India): 6-1, 6-0
Match 3: Arjun Uppal and Rishi Kapoor (Ind) beat Shaun Joseph and Abhijeet Dangat (Ind): 6-1, 6-1
Match 4: Famaz Shanavas & Austin Varghese (India) beat Nikhil Sai Kodali (India) & Adit Patel (Great Britain): 6-4, 6-1
Court 2:
· Match 1: Mohit Dahiya (India) and Marc Berniles Garcia (Spain) beat Aditya Jagtab and Aryan Hemdev (India) 6-4, 6-1.
· Match 2: Aryan Goves & Rahul Motwani (Ind) beat Utsav Birla & Hardik Kashyap (Ind) 6-0, 6-0
Match 3: Digvijay Pratap Singh (Ind) and Miguel Vega Martin (Spain) beat Rakshit Chauhan and Param Yadav (Ind) 6-2, 6-1
What will happen next:
As the tournament progresses, fans can expect even more entertaining contests. Tomorrow’s matches will mark the beginning of the Round of 16 and the games will start at 11am IST on both courts.
Fixtures for Day 2:
Central Court:
, [1] Sergi Guimet Bigas & Joel Oliver Palaos (Spain) vs. Andrea Masoero & Giulio Lorenzin (Italy)
· Pol Alsina & Edu Altimares Roces (Spain) vs Famaz Shanawas & Austin Varghese (India)
, [4] Islam Ghunaim (Bahrain) and Mohammed Elzayat (Egypt) vs Chaitanya Shah and Vikram Shah (India)
· Aryan Goves and Rahul Motwani (India) vs Digdivijay Pratap Singh (India) and Miguel Vega Martin (Spain)
Court 2:
· Chandril Sood and Lakshit Sood (India) vs Mohit Dahiya (India) and Marc Berniles Garcia (Spain)
, [3] Arya Rogani (Ireland) and Hami Golestan (Sweden) – Next round (walkover)
· Arjun Uppal and Rishi Kapoor (India) vs [WC] Rahul Belwal and Manresh Malhotra (India)
· Shashank Narade and Aditya Bakshi (India) vs [2] Arthur Hugonnec and Thomas Sex (France)
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