Mumbai: Game Changers Lions held their nerve to edge Hubtown Panorama Panthers 14-12, while Khan Tigers fought back from an early deficit to beat Vedanta Leopards 14-12, as Match Day 2 of the Akcel World Padel League Season 4, powered by SpiceJet, produced two closely contested ties. The win was the Tigers’ first of the campaign.
Lions survive late fightback from Panthers
World No. 3 Bea Gonzalez and World No. 4 Paula Josemaria set the tone for the Lions, teaming up to beat Marta Caparros and Marta Barrera 6-2 in the opening set. The Panthers hit back through Juan Tello and Eduardo Alonso, who saw off Gonzalo Alfonso and padel icon Sanyo Gutierrez 6-2 to level the contest.
The decider went the distance. Enrique Goenaga and Rama Valenzuela put the Panthers 4-1 up, but Federico Mourino and Teodoro Zapata dug in to win the set 6-4 and complete a 14-12 victory for the Lions.
Tigers complete comeback to sting Leopards
Vedanta Leopards started brightly, with Marta Ortega and Veronica Virseda beating Raquel Eugenio and Martina Fassio 6-1 in the first set. Khan Tigers hit straight back, as Javi Garcia and Inigo Jofre thrashed Nuno Deus and Miguel Deus 6-0 to square the match.
With the tie on a knife-edge, Aris Patiniotis and Lucas Campagnolo held their composure to edge Francisco Guerrero and Javi Ruiz 7-6 in a tie-break decider, sealing a 14-12 win and the Tigers’ first points of the season.
What’s next
Match Day 3 of the Akcel World Padel League Season 4 takes place on August 14, with Khan Tigers facing Aussie Mavericks Jaguars at 4pm, followed by Game Changers Lions against VB Realty Cheetahs at 6.30pm.
