Indonesia Reaches First Padel Semifinal in Asian Games History

Indonesia's Novela Putria and Beatrice Gumulya beat Hong Kong's Chan Hiu and Law Yik 6-1, 6-2 in the women's padel quarterfinal at the 2026 Asian Games on Thursday, sending the Indonesian pair into their first semifinal at a multi-sport Games.

The match at the Higashi Sports Center in Nagoya was done in just over an hour. Novela and Beatrice controlled the first set from the opening game, breaking twice to close it out 6-1. Hong Kong settled in during the second set and got it to 2-2 before Indonesia pulled away again to finish 6-2.

This is the first time padel has appeared on the Asian Games program, and Indonesia's run is already one of the host region's feel-good stories. The pair opened their campaign with a 6-3, 6-1 win over Iran's Sahabeh Fard and Zahra Kahrizi in the round of 16 on Wednesday. Beatrice Gumulya said afterward that the start was a little slow and that nerves crept in, since it was their first big match representing Indonesia.

What's next

Novela and Beatrice now face Japan's Saki Tsukamoto and Kae Tokumoto in the semifinal on Friday, October 2. The Japanese pair beat Saudi Arabia's Alanoud Fareh and Areej Yamani in straight sets in the other quarterfinal and will have home-court support at Higashi Sports Center.

A win would guarantee Indonesia at least a silver medal in the sport's Asian Games debut.