By Rahul Sadhu

Copyright timesnownews

The opening day of The Rackonnect Global Spa Picklefest, an Indian Pickleball Association (IPA) sanctioned PWR 200 event, set the stage for a high-intensity weekend at REPPP in Mehrauli, New Delhi. With 185 players registered, the competition on Friday lived up to its billing, producing strong performances across divisions as the first semifinalists and quarterfinalists were decided. In the Men’s Singles (Intermediate) category, four names emerged from a crowded field. Siddharth Sharma, Aditya Nandal, Yatin Sirpaul, and Keshav Gupta stormed into the semifinals with consistent displays and will battle it out on Saturday for a place in the final. The Men’s Singles (Advanced) draw was equally competitive, with ten players booking quarterfinal spots after gruelling matches. Among those progressing were Yugal Bansal, Aariv Raj Khanna, Aaditya Chabbra, Aditya Nandal, Nishaan Singh, Om Pawar, Utsav Anand, Angad SA, Kartinik S.P, and Anahat Mudgil. In the Open Doubles (Intermediate) bracket, 12 pairs sealed quarterfinal berths, including Karan Mehta & Anshul Takkar, Gaurav Sood & Nirbhay, Jatin Bagla & Akshay Arora, Rajat Bhargava & Prabhat Raghav, Yatin Sirpaul & Apoorv Sharma, Rahul Chadda & Varun Jolly, Sahil Sachdeva & Anav Vadehra, Divyang Kumar & Kunal Chadha, and Prem Pathak & Supragya. Several teams entered with momentum, setting up an exciting knockout phase. The Mixed Doubles (Advanced) also saw some of the tournament’s top names progress. Sohel Makan & Mansha Malhotra, Ananya Gupta & Aryan Chauhan, Yugal Bansal & Nitanya Malik, Pinky Sharma & Ayush Gurnani, Annanmay Khemka & Monica Menon, and Richa Minda & Shaurya Joon all secured places in the quarterfinals. Sunday will see the action intensify with league matches for Men’s Doubles (Advanced), Open Singles 35+, Open Doubles 35+, Women’s Singles, and Women’s Doubles, along with knockouts across all categories. With plenty still to play for, Day 2 promises drama, upsets, and top-class pickleball. About Indian Pickleball Association: The Indian Pickleball Association is the official governing body for pickleball in India and is dedicated to promoting, developing, and organising the sport across the country. The association continues to inspire players of all ages and skill levels to embrace the game through events like the IPA Nationals. IPA is affiliated with the Asian Pickleball Association (APA) and the Global Pickleball Federation (GPF). About Pickleball World Ranking: PWR is a national ranking system that spans all age groups, skill divisions, and formats -including singles, doubles, and mixed categories. It serves as the official National Sports Federation Ranking for India. With multiple sanctioned events taking place every week across the country, PWR defines the top Indian players at every level and forms the foundation for team selection at the school, district, state, and national stages. Rackonnect Global Spa Picklefest – Day 1 Results Men’s Singles (Intermediate) – Semifinalists Siddharth Sharma Aditya Nandal Yatin Sirpaul Keshav Gupta Men’s Singles (Advanced) – Quarterfinalists Yugal Bansal Aariv Raj Khanna Aaditya Chabbra Aditya Nandal Nishaan Singh Om Pawar Utsav Anand Angad SA Kartinik S.P Anahat Mudgil Open Doubles (Intermediate) – Quarterfinalists Karan Mehta & Anshul Takkar Sandeep & Partner Jatin & Partner Gaurav Sood & Nirbhay Jatin Bagla & Akshay Arora Rajat Bhargava & Prabhat Raghav Yatin Sirpaul & Apoorv Sharma Rahul Chadda & Varun Jolly Siddant & Tushar Sahil Sachdeva & Anav Vadehra Divyang Kumar & Kunal Chadha Prem Pathak & Supragya Mixed Doubles (Advanced) – Quarterfinalists Sohel Makan & Mansha Malhotra Ananya Gupta & Aryan Chauhan Yugal Bansal & Nitanya Malik Pinky Sharma & Ayush Gurnani Annanmay Khemka & Monica Menon Richa Minda & Shaurya Joon PICKLEBALL – Stay connected with all the latest news on Pickleball, exclusive behind-the-scenes content, tips, and inspiration you won’t find anywhere else. Your ultimate destination for all things pickleball – where the community comes together for news, views, and the sport that’s sweeping the globe. Follow us at @pickleballnow on Instagram and be part of the community!