Mumbai: Vedanta Leopards opened their season four campaign with an 18-16 win over Aussie Mavericks Jaguars, coming from behind to take the tie on day one of the Akcel World Padel League, powered by SpiceJet. Last season’s finalists trailed after two sets before closing out the match in the decider. In the day’s other fixture, Hubtown Panorama Panthers beat VB Realty Cheetahs 16-9. Season 4 is being played in a round-robin format, with every team facing off across the league before the knockout stages.
Leopards recover from a set down
The Jaguars started well, with Alejandra Alonso and Claudia Jensen edging past Marta Ortega and Veronica Virseda 7-5 in the women’s doubles opener. The Leopards responded in the second set, where Ignacio Piotto and Enzo Jensen took on the Deus brothers, Miguel and Nuno, in the season’s first tiebreak. The Leopards held their nerve to win it 7-6 and level the tie. That set up a decisive men’s doubles between Pol Hernandez and Guille Collado of the Jaguars and Fran Guerrero and Javi Ruiz of the Leopards. Guerrero and Ruiz closed it out 6-3, completing the comeback and sealing an 18-16 win.
Panthers turn it around after dropping the first set
VB Realty Cheetahs made the early running, with Lucho Capra and Jesus Moya beating Juan Tello and Eduardo Alonso 6-4 in a tightly contested opening set. The Panthers hit back immediately. Marta Caparros and Marta Barrera were the standout pair in the women’s doubles, beating Aranzazu Osoro and Julieta Bidahorria 6-1 to put their side ahead for the first time. With the tie there for the taking, Enriquei Goenaga and Rama Valenzuela finished the job, beating Coki Nieto and Jon Sanz 6-2 to give the Panthers a 16-9 win.
What’s next
Day 2 brings a double-header on August 13. Game Changers Lions face Hubtown Panorama Panthers at 4:00 PM, before Khan Tigers take on Vedanta Leopards at 6:30 PM. Tickets are available on BookMyShow, with live coverage on JioHotstar and Star Sports 3.