Chennai Super Champs: Chennai Super Champs produced an inspired outing but were dealt with a 3-1 defeat by Mumbai Pickle Power in the World Pickleball League (WPBL) at the Cricket Club of India (CCI)-Brabourne Stadium on Tuesday night. Head coach Joey Farias appeared proactive from the onset in this match, shuffling the pack by going in with their Indian star Sonu Vishwakarma to serve off proceedings.
Sonu dived into the proceedings seamlessly, taking to the game seamlessly and dominating the game. His quick burst of pace, robust forehand, and deft plays near the net meant that Mumbai’s Bartosz Karbownik was handed a formidable challenge. It was an exceptional display of sheer promise and talent by Sonu, as his incredible talent and pickleball prowess shone through brightly in his 16-16 draw with Bartosz, as both teams settled for a point each. Anna Clarice Patrimonio and Sarah Lane Jim took the court for the women’s doubles match against Sabrina Dominguez and Glauka Carvajal Lane. Patrimonio and Sarah refrained from conceding an inch for most of the exchanges, as their partnership appeared thoroughly natural.
They were making the right calls at the right junctures, but a brief passage of play in the concluding minutes of the match saw them concede a flurry of points in a jiffy to Mumbai, handing the home side a 1-0 lead. A similar pattern ensued in the women’s singles fixture between Mihae Kwon and Thaddea Lock. The Chennai star was up at her game against Mihae, as both players delivered an enthralling clash for the jam-packed audience. Lock was gliding across the court with fine finesse, but also blended the power in her game perfectly when required to put Kwon in a spot of bother.
