Ando and Nakamura Give Japan a Winning Asian Games Start

Teruaki Ando and Shinnosuke Nakamura gave Japan a winning start in Asian Games men’s padel, beating Lebanon’s Tamim El Hallak and Ralph Tohme 7–6(4), 2–6, 6–4 on 28 September.

The hosts needed three sets at Nagoya City Higashi Sports Center to secure a last-16 place.

Ando and Nakamura took the opening tie-break before the Lebanese pair levelled with a 6–2 second set. Japan recovered to win the decider 6–4.

Japan’s two routes

The victory came in a different section from Kazuki Tomita and Nasa Hatakeyama, who received a first-round bye before their meeting with Thailand’s Arnav Rawal and Stefano Mocciola.

Ando and Nakamura therefore began their campaign with a match already won on court. Their three-set opener gave home supporters an early result to celebrate as padel made its Asian Games debut.