Round 2 of the Major League Pickleball Australia (MLPA) tour unfolded at the picturesque Carmelina Beach Resort in Ho Tram, Vietnam, from October 18-20. As the second stop in a three-part season, this event brought the heat both on and off the courts, with top teams and players competing fiercely to secure their standings as the season heads toward the final stop.

Group Stage Thrills

The tournament began with an intense group stage, featuring thrilling battles and surprising upsets. Surge set the tone early, winning a convincing 3-1 match over Breakers and later sweeping Stars 4-0 to demonstrate their dominance. Meanwhile, Crocs emerged as a formidable force, narrowly beating Rush in a 3-2 match and continuing their momentum with a nail-biting 3-2 win over Mavs. Fours also showed their mettle, achieving a 4-0 win against Glory on the Grandstand Court and edging out Aces with a close 3-2 score.

On Saturday, Aces pushed Fours to the limit in a tight match on the Championship Court, but ultimately, Fours prevailed, maintaining their strong position in the standings. The group stage action was full of memorable moments and set the stage for an exciting elimination round.

Elimination Rounds and Championship Match

The elimination stage kicked off with quarterfinals on Saturday evening, where Hustle narrowly defeated Mavs in a 3-2 thriller on the Championship Court, and Crocs asserted their strength with a 3-0 sweep against Vipers on the Grandstand Court.

Sunday's semifinals saw Crocs put on a clinical display, shutting out Surge with a 3-0 victory, while Fours overpowered Hustle with another flawless 3-0 performance. These decisive wins by Crocs and Fours set up an eagerly awaited showdown in the championship match.

In the final, Crocs and Fours went head-to-head in a high-stakes battle for the title. Both teams fought hard, but it was Crocs who emerged victorious with a 3-2 win, dramatically clinching the Round 2 title and putting themselves in a strong position heading into the season finale.

Current Season Standings

As the MLPA season heads into its third and final stop, the standings are as competitive as ever. Fours currently lead with a total of 28 points, thanks to their consistent performance in both events. Surge are hot on their heels with 27 points, closely followed by Crocs with 21 points after their impressive showing at Carmelina Beach Resort. Vipers and Glory round out the top five, with 20 and 18 points, respectively.

The tightly packed standings reflect the high level of competition in the MLPA, with each team pushing to secure their position as the season nears its conclusion. The final stop promises even more intense action as teams vie for the top spot and a chance to claim the season championship.

There were some big movers in the individual player standings with MVP Harsh Mehta moving into the top spot one game clear of George Wall and Marcel Chan. Season one leader Roos van Reek finished #1 overall in Vietnam and made a steady climb up the leaderboard sitting now in 10th position.

Looking Ahead

With just one stop remaining, anticipation is building for the MLPA season finale, where teams will have one last opportunity to earn crucial points. The Carmelina Beach Resort event has left fans eagerly awaiting the season final, as every point and match win will play a decisive role in crowning the season’s top team. Stay tuned for more updates as the Major League Pickleball Australia season reaches its thrilling conclusion in Melbourne, Australia, Nov 8-10..

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Team and individual rankings can be found here.

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