Unbeaten India enter Pickleball World Cup quarterfinals, set up USA clash

India remained unbeaten in the team events at the Pickleball World Cup in Da Nang, Vietnam, with the Open squad advancing to the quarterfinals after defeating the Philippines 4-1 in the Round of 16.

The Indian Pro squad comprising Harsh Mehta, Arjun Singh, Anish Froilan, Aman Patel, Pearl Amalsadiwala, Naomi Amalsadiwala, Aaliya Ebrahim and Mihika Yadav had earlier defeated China 4-0 in the Round of 32. India will face a formidable USA side in the quarterfinals.

Pearl Amalsadiwala and Mihika Yadav gave India the perfect start against China, winning the opening tie 21-19. Harsh Mehta and Arjun Singh then added another point before Harsh and Pearl secured the third tie. Arjun and Mihika completed a comprehensive 4-0 victory for India.

"Really happy with the way we have been executing our plans and making it all the way to the quarterfinals. Playing with Mihika and Harsh has been a great experience for me and Harsh Mehta has been pivotal in his leadership," Pearl Amalsadiwala said on Friday.

"I am very happy to have played my role for the team and look forward to the quarters. Tomorrow is a crucial day for the rest of the Indian teams, but we are ready for the challenge," she added.

The Round of 16 encounter against the Philippines proved more competitive, but India eventually secured a 4-1 victory.

Pearl and Mihika again opened the proceedings for India by winning the women's doubles tie. The Indian men's doubles pair lost the second tie 19-21, but the team recovered strongly, winning the next two mixed doubles ties to take a 3-1 lead.

Aaliya Ebrahim then sealed India's place in the quarterfinals with a commanding 21-12 victory in her tie.

India's Masters, Junior and Kids squads also progressed to the quarterfinals. The Masters team will face Vietnam, the Junior squad will take on Chinese Taipei, while the Kids team will meet Australia.

The India Senior team, however, bowed out of the competition after losing to New Zealand in the Round of 16.

The Masters team produced a thrilling 3-2 victory over China, with Bhushan Akut and Petulia Balaji delivering a dominant 21-9 win in the deciding tie to secure their passage into the last eight.

"Tomorrow, our Kids, Juniors, Open, and Masters (60+) teams step into the quarterfinals with unstoppable spirit. Each player is giving their absolute best and playing with heart, grit, and pride for the nation," said Aalap Sharma, Treasurer of the Indian Pickleball Association.

"Watching them pour everything into the game fills us with joy and pride. Their performances make us believe even more strongly that nothing is greater than seeing India triumph," he added.

Indian Pickleball Association President Suryaveer Singh Bhullar congratulated the players on reaching the quarterfinals and said the association was backing the teams to make a deep run in the tournament.

"Making the quarterfinals is a formidable statement by Team India, and the entire Indian Pickleball Association is backing them to go deep into the final leg of the tournament. All the players in each team have played their part well and taken up the responsibility for the team," Bhullar said.