From our correspondent in Rome – The tremendous heat – with peaks of 37° – forced the organizers of the BNL Italy Major Premier Padel to bring forward the start of the matches to 9am to avoid the players being subjected to extreme conditions.
Of note is the very good performance offered by Giorgia Marchetti and Lea Godallier, who overcame Lorena Vano and Alicia Blanco Rojo on Centrale to prevail thanks to a score of 5-7 6-3 6-1 after a close battle.
Marchetti/Godallier will open tomorrow’s program at Centrale by facing Orsi/Navarro in a match that promises to be very spectacular. Having eliminated the two blue pairs who entered the draw thanks to a wild card, from whom it was difficult to expect the feat against more highly rated opponents.
Valentina Tommasi and Marianela Montesi never entered the match against Barrera/Caparros (scoring just one game), while Erika Zanchetta and Martina Parmigiani lost to the Spanish Ariadna Canellas and Teresa Navarro with a double 6-3.
Tomorrow it’s the big names’ turn
The debut of all the big names is scheduled for tomorrow, ready to compete for victory under the capital’s sun. The spotlight will be focused above all on Arturo Coello and Agustin Tapia – number 1 in the seeding – who will try to defend the title won here at the Foro Italico last year.
‘This is my favorite tournament, so I really want to do well’ – began Coello during the media day. ‘In Rome the expectations are always very high and I will do everything to enjoy this magnificent setting’ – he added.
Tapia, for his part, admitted that it will not be easy to repeat himself: “I feel the pressure of having won here in 2023 and of having to defend the title, but I am motivated to do my best from the first match.” The dream of all fans is to see them in the final on Sunday against Ale Galan and Federico Chingotto, who joined forces a few months ago and have already managed to capture three titles (as well as having beaten Coello and Tapia on three occasions).
“Two opponents like that are good both for us and for padel” – said Coello with great sportsmanship. Tapia echoed this: “We know that if we want to win the big titles we have to deal with them, they have always been splendid battles.” There is also great anticipation for the debut of the Paquito Navarro-Juan Lebron duo, who are expected to have a brilliant tournament after their recent difficulties, without forgetting the ‘Superpibes’ and the Tello-Belasteguin duo who will brighten up Wednesday’s evening session. In short, the next few days will be exciting from all points of view. Credits: FITP PHOTO
