Vincent, Pemmasan rally to win Kerala Open 2026 men’s doubles final

Koritepati Vincent and Anjai Pemmasan turned the Intermediate Men’s Doubles final into Kerala Open 2026’s signature comeback, absorbing a 10-11 first-game loss to Sooryadas and Sandeep before ripping through the next two games, 11-6, 11-5, to seize the title in Kochi.

The opening game was exactly the kind of tight, cautious exchange that can decide a final at this level. Long rallies and careful shot selection kept both pairs locked together, until Sooryadas and Sandeep took advantage of a couple of late errors to edge ahead. From there, Vincent and Pemmasan changed the match by changing the tempo. They came forward more aggressively at the net, cut down the time and space available to their opponents, and forced the final into a different rhythm entirely.

That adjustment defined the rest of the championship match. In the second game, Vincent and Pemmasan’s pressure at the kitchen line created cleaner openings and more rushed replies, and the momentum carried straight into the decider. By the third game, they were in control rather than reacting, closing the match in three games and delivering one of the week’s most engaging finishes. For a tournament that showcased rising tactical sharpness across India’s pickleball scene, the final was a clear example of how quickly intermediate players are learning to make adjustments under pressure.

Kerala Open 2026 carried real weight beyond one title match. Held at Rally Labs in Kochi on April 17-18, the event was a PWR 400 stop on the Road to IPBL Series 1, with a 5,00,000 prize pool and 20 categories on the draw. More than 100 players competed, and official IPBL scouts were present to identify talent for the national circuit, underlining how quickly this tournament has become a meaningful pathway event in South India.

The depth of the field showed up everywhere. Senthil Kumar completed a rare double by winning both the Beginner Men’s Singles and Intermediate Men’s Singles titles, Mahir Mustafa captured the U18 Boys Singles crown, and Arunava Majumder won the Open Men’s Singles title in another three-game final before being named tournament MVP. With sanctioning from IPBL, support from the Pickleball Association of Kerala, and approval linked to IPA, DUPR and Pickleball World Rankings partnerships, Kerala Open 2026 looked less like a local stop and more like a serious marker of where Indian pickleball is heading.