Dhiren Patel Edges Vinay Sethia for 40-Plus Singles Gold at Indian Open 2026

Down 12-12 in the opening game of the 40-plus Men's Singles final, Dhiren Patel dug in. What followed was a pivotal rally that swung the set, the match, and ultimately another national-level gold medal in his direction.

Patel defeated Vinay Sethia 15-13, 11-3 in the Indian Open 2026 final at CrossCourts, Hyderabad, on April 2, completing a commanding performance across two contrasting games that showcased both his capacity for clutch play and his ability to shift gears once the pressure eased.

The opening game stretched well beyond the standard 11-point format into a grinding exchange of momentum and composure. Sethia built an early lead before Patel chipped back into contention and forced the tie at 12-12. When the critical rally arrived at that juncture, Patel converted it and closed out the set 15-13. The extended scoring underscores how veteran age-group finals often hinge on a handful of exchanges rather than sustained runs of dominance from either player.

The second game told a sharply different story. With the nerve-testing opener behind him, Patel dictated terms through deep returns and angled dinks that stretched Sethia across the court and opened lanes at the net. He ran out a winner 11-3, a scoreline that reflected how quickly tactical clarity can compound once momentum shifts decisively.

Speaking after his win, Patel made clear the tournament carries particular meaning for him. "Indian Open PWR 1000, one of my favourites, of course, organised by the Global Sports," he told Pickleball Now. He also described Sethia as a "dear friend," capturing the dynamic common on the veteran circuit where rivalry and camaraderie travel together across the same draws all season.

That familiarity between the two players did nothing to blunt the competition. Patel arrived at the Indian Open carrying strong form from the Bharat Open, where he had taken two gold medals in Men's 30-plus singles and doubles. The Indian Open result extends that run and adds a PWR 1000 title to what is shaping into a formidable season-long record in veteran competition.

At the PWR 1000 level, the points carry real weight for national ranking calculations. With the tournament continuing through April 5, Patel's final is the early signature result of the week, a reminder that the veteran draws at events like the Indian Open carry stakes and drama that hold their own against any division on the draw sheet.