Indian sports wrap, July 17: Jio World Garden to host World Pickleball League season 2
PICKLEBALL
World Pickleball League announces Jio World Garden as venue for Season 2
The World Pickleball League (WPBL) announced Jio World Garden as the host venue for Season 2, set to take place in Mumbai from January 24 to February 8, 2026.
With six competing teams, World Pickleball League Season 2 will be the first-ever franchise sports league to be held at Jio World Garden.
– Team Sportstar
GOLF
Neha shoots stunning 65, takes 3-shot lead in 9th leg of Hero WPGT
Neha Tripathi, one of the most experienced stars on the Indian women’s circuit, produced a stunning 7-under 65 that catapulted her into a 3-shot lead after the second round of ninth leg of the Hero Women’s Pro Golf Tour at the Clover Greens here on Thursday.
Even as the 33-year-old Neha made a move to the top, overnight leader Amandeep Drall suffered a big drop with a round of 4-over 76, seven shots worse than her first round at the Rs 15 lakh event.
Amandeep has now slipped from sole first to tied ninth at the Clover Greens par-72 layout.
– PTI
TENNIS
Kadhe and Prashanth shock second seeds to make Swiss Open semis
India’s Arjun Kadhe and Vijay Sundar Prashanth knocked out second seeds Jakob Schnaitter and Mark Wallner in straight sets to advance to the semifinals of the Swiss Open in Gstaad, Switzerland.
The unseeded Indians shocked the higher-ranked Germans 6-3, 7-6(5) in the quarterfinals of the ATP 250 clay court tournament.
Kadhe has one ATP title under his belt, winning the Almaty ATP 250 event last year with compatriot Rithvik Bollipalli.
The Indian pair got an early break to go up 3-1 but dropped serve to let go of the advantage. However, they put the Germans under the pump one more time to take a 5-3 lead and earn an opportunity to nose ahead in the quarterfinal contest.
Kadhe came out to serve for the opening set and did the job after losing two points.
Both pairs played solid service games in the second set. There was no break of serve and the set was stretched to a tie-breaker.
The Indians trailed 0-3 after Kadhe lost both points on his serve but they roared back to restore parity as Schnaitter also lost consecutive points on his serve.
Kadhe and Prashanth quickly closed the match after Wallner lost a point on his serve at 5-4.
– PTI