Rithika Wins Indian Open Women's Singles Advance Title in Hyderabad

Rithika claimed the Women's Singles Advance title at India's first IPA-sanctioned PWR 1000 pickleball event on April 1, beating Khushi Sachdeva 11-3, 12-10 at CrossCourts in Hyderabad to collect INR 50,000 and a set of national ranking points with four more days of the Indian Open 2026 still to play.

The match unfolded in two contrasting halves. The opening game was controlled from the outset: Rithika moved efficiently and closed at 11-3 without conceding any real foothold. Khushi's response in the second game was considerably sharper. She pushed hard throughout and forced Rithika to hold firm all the way to 12-10 before the title was settled.

Bronze in the category went to Vidula Reddy, who had entered the day among the tournament favourites but suffered a narrow defeat in the semifinals. A fall during that match cost her a shot at the final. Vidula offered a composed assessment of the outcome, saying she felt "happy with [her] performance" despite the setback, noting that the event had tested both fitness and focus across multiple matches on a single afternoon.

The Indian Open 2026, organised by Global Sports in partnership with the Indian Pickleball Association, drew more than 1,100 registered players across its categories on Day 1 alone, with the full tournament running through April 5. The PWR 1000 designation, the highest sanctioning level the IPA has issued for a domestically organised event, means results from Hyderabad carry direct weight in national ranking tables and player selection conversations.

For Rithika, a straight-sets win in a final of this standing is among the more consequential results of her domestic career. The question that remains as the week at CrossCourts continues is whether the performances across all categories can sustain the level set on opening day.