Dubai
The Punit Balan Group Eagles, led by US Open Champion Daniil Medvedev and 2023 Australian Open quarterfinalist Andrey Rublev, secured the World Tennis League title with an impressive victory over Team Kites. In the finals held at the Etihad Arena, UAE, the PBG Eagles emerged triumphant with a 29-26 win, claiming the coveted trophy and the winning purse. Despite facing an initial setback in the opening mixed doubles tie, where the Medvedev-Mirra Andreeva pair narrowly lost to Paula Badosa-Stefanos Tsitsipas in a tie-breaker, the PBG Eagles staged a comeback, securing victories in women’s doubles, men’s doubles, and women’s singles. Andreeva and Sofia Kenin teamed up to defeat Badosa and Aryna Sabalenka in a closely contested women’s doubles match with a 7-5 victory. Medvedev and Rublev showcased their prowess in the men’s doubles category, securing a comfortable 6–3 win against Grigor Dimitrov and Lloyd Harris. In the women’s singles category, World No. 33 Kenin delivered a notable upset by defeating World No. 2 Sabalenka, contributing significantly to PBG Eagles’ overall performance. Reflecting on the victory, Medvedev expressed his happiness about the team’s success and his personal contributions. Rublev also highlighted the significance of the win and the team’s approach to the matches. Punit Balan, Chairman & Managing Director of the Punit Balan Group, commented on the team’s achievements, stating, Having the tennis greats of our time as part of PBG Eagles itself was an amazing experience, and to top it with a win, we couldn’t have asked for more. The Punit Balan Group Eagles sealed their World Tennis League title with a well-deserved 29-26 victory, providing fans with a strong reason to celebrate as they conclude 2023.
