What’s the Score?
The Jio World Garden in Mumbai has become the battleground for the world’s finest pickleball talent, and as Matchday 4 concludes, a new hierarchy is emerging in the World Pickleball League (WPBL). The Chennai Super Champs have stamped their authority on the league, seizing the top spot on the leaderboard with a commanding 24 points following a decisive victory.
In a night of contrasting narratives, the Chennai franchise, owned by Samantha Ruth Prabhu, dismantled Mumbai Pickle Power with a comprehensive 4-1 scoreline. Meanwhile, the Hyderabad Super Stars were forced to dig deep, securing a gritty 3-2 victory over Pune United in a tie that went down to the wire, requiring a dramatic tie-breaker to separate the sides. The results have reshuffled the league standings, placing Chennai firmly in the driver’s seat, followed closely by Hyderabad with 18 points, while Mumbai Pickle Power languishes in fifth place.
Hit it deeper!
The story of the round was undoubtedly the dominance of the Chennai Super Champs. Their victory was orchestrated by the brilliance of Ly Hoang Nam, whose performance in the men’s singles was nothing short of a demolition job. Facing Max Green, Nam showcased a “miraculous game style” to secure a staggering 28-7 victory. This win was pivotal, not only giving Chennai a crucial lead in the tie but also vaulting Nam to the top of the “Band of Honour”—the league’s individual scoring chart—where he now leads all male players with 56 points.
Chennai’s success was a team effort. Domenika Turkovic set the tone early with a tight 15-13 win over Jada Bui in the women’s singles. Although Mumbai Pickle Power briefly rallied with a mixed doubles win by Brandon Lane and Glauka Carvajal Lane, Chennai responded with lethal precision. Turkovic returned to the court for women’s doubles, partnering with Carlota Trevino to crush their opponents 12-4. The tie concluded with Do Minh Quan and fan-favourite Tanner Tomassi delivering a 19-4 masterclass in men’s doubles, ensuring a near-perfect outing for the Super Champs.
On the other side of the draw, the Hyderabad Super Stars were involved in a nail-biter against Pune United. The tie was a seesaw battle that saw Pune’s Seone Mendez dominate the women’s singles 25-14. However, Hyderabad clawed their way back. The pivotal moment arrived in the tie-breaker, a high-pressure scenario where Louis Laville and Kaitlynn Hart faced off against William Sobek and Sarah Jane Lim. Displaying “lightning-fast speed & tactical brilliance,” Laville helped guide his team to a 10-8 victory in the decider. His efforts earned him the “Player of the Tie” accolade, cementing Hyderabad’s position as a serious title contender.
The World Pickleball Verdict
Matchday 4 has clarified the competitive landscape of the WPBL significantly. The Chennai Super Champs are currently playing pickleball at a level that seems a cut above the rest. When a team can produce individual match scores like 28-7 and 19-4 in a professional league, it sends a terrifying message to the rest of the field. The performances of Ly Hoang Nam and Domenika Turkovic—who both lead their respective individual scoring tables with 56 points apiece—suggest that Chennai possesses both the star power and the depth required to go all the way.
However, the resilience shown by Hyderabad Super Stars proves that the league is far from a one-horse race. Their ability to win “ugly” in tight tie-breakers is a hallmark of championship resilience. As the league looks ahead to the clash between the table-topping Chennai Super Champs and the Rajasthan Titans, and the Bengaluru Jawans taking on Dilli Dillwale, the pressure is mounting. If Chennai continues to “roar louder,” as the league’s official channels suggest, the rest of the pack will need to find answers quickly, or risk fighting for second place.
Chris Beaumont
Founder and Editor-in-ChiefChris Beaumont is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of World Pickleball Magazine. Chris follows the global game closely, reporting on the latest news, developments, stories and tournaments from all five continents. He also hosts the World Pickleball Podcast, interviewing people at…
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