Chavan and Bhakti Triumph in Women's Doubles at Mumbai Pickleball Grand Prix

In an impressive display of skill and teamwork, Jueelee Chavan and Bhakti emerged victorious in the Women's Doubles 19+ Advanced category at the Grand Prix held in Mumbai on Thursday, July 23. The event took place at The Ballard Pier, where the duo showcased their exceptional abilities by going undefeated throughout the tournament. Their journey culminated in a decisive final match against Bindiya Aggarwal and Sameera Lala, which they won with a score of 11-5. Chavan and Bhakti's performance was characterized by their strong net play and precise shot-making, effectively stifling any attempts by their opponents to gain momentum during the championship match. Their dominance was evident not only in the final but also throughout the group stage, where they secured victories in all three of their matches, defeating Rakshu Kartikeya Panchal and Aakanksha Rawat 11-7, Pranati Wadhwa and Ankita Chawala 11-9, and once again overcoming Bindiya and Sameera 11-8. Despite their strong performance, Bindiya and Sameera were unable to clinch the title, having previously won two of their three group matches before facing the eventual champions in the final showdown.

The Grand Prix Mumbai featured a total of eight divisions, encompassing both Open and 19+ Advanced categories for men and women, with competitions held in singles and doubles formats. The tournament was structured in a round-robin format during the initial pool stage, which then transitioned into knockout rounds. This format not only provided a competitive edge but also ensured that players had multiple opportunities to showcase their skills. The Grand Prix is part of a larger PWR 700-sanctioned series that spans across 13 cities, offering an impressive prize pool of up to Rs 50 lakh, along with valuable ranking points. In addition to the singles events, which contribute to the IPBL's Road to IPBL pathway, the tournament also served as a significant platform for doubles and Advanced-tier players, featuring well-organized pool stages and knockout rounds at each location.