From our correspondent in Rome – Just as Italy was helplessly suffering the game of Spain at the European Football Championships in Germany, the defending champions of the BNL Italy Major Premier Padel Arturo Coello and Agustin Tapia were busy on Centrale in the last match of the evening session .
The number 1 seeds struggled much more than expected to overcome Barahona/Zapata, who played with free arm knowing they had nothing to lose. The two Spaniards played well beyond their capabilities for at least two sets before collapsing at the distance.
The number 1 seeds – for their part – did well to recover their concentration after losing the second half, then spreading in the third set until the final 6-4 4-6 6-0 in an hour and 40 minutes.
A hard-fought victory also for the ‘Superpibes’, defenders of Ruiz and Cardona with the score of 6-4 4-6 6-3 after an hour and 45 minutes of close battle. The number 2s on the scoreboard Ale Galan and Federico Chingotto – who yesterday got rid of Deus/Cremona against Pietrangeli – were unable to make their debut against Centrale due to Fran Guerrero’s withdrawal at lunchtime.
The latter had shown excellent padel throughout the week together with Jairo Bautista, but a muscle problem prevented him from going down alongside his compatriot. A real shame, since the two Spaniards would certainly have deserved to play their chances to the hilt and enjoy the unique atmosphere of the Foro Italico.
Rest day therefore for Galan and Chingotto, who have all it takes to triumph in the capital and seal their extraordinary moment of form. The two get along very well together and their characteristics are perfectly complementary, as demonstrated by the results obtained so far despite their union only starting a few months ago.
Flashes of Lebron and Paquito
We finally saw glimpses of Juan Lebron and Paquito Navarro, who undoubtedly played their best match of the season. Playing in the morning on Centrale, the fourth seeding favorites won with a very clear 6-1 6-2 Victor Ruiz and Lucas Bergamini despite an almost unbearable heat.
After the huge risk taken yesterday, ‘Lobo’ and Paquito demonstrated that continuity within the same match that had always been missing in recent months. “I would be hypocritical if I said that we are happy with the results obtained so far” – Navarro began with great sincerity.
“I have always had a great time here in Rome and I hope to reach the final together with Juan. I want to win this tournament before the end of my career” – he added. Lobo was also satisfied: “We have not expressed our best level up to this moment and I assume my responsibilities, but I am convinced that sooner or later we will break the deadlock.” In the meantime, news has arrived that Paquito and Lebron will take part in the P2 in Genoa taking place from 1 to 7 July.
The ‘Superpibes’ and Tello-Belasteguin are also registered, while Coello-Tapia and Galan-Chingotto have not yet released their reserves. Greetings to Fernando Belasteguin, in the last year of his legendary career, defeated paired with Juan Tello by Lucas Campagnolo and Javier Leal.
The latter were very solid from the first to the last point, making the best possible use of the lack of strength of their rivals (in particular of a disastrous Tello) and not faltering even when the number 5 seeds attempted to break away in the second set.
6-4 6-4 the final result in an hour and 12 minutes of play. On the women’s side, there was nothing to do for Giorgia Marchetti and Lea Godallier against Gemma Triay and Claudia Fernandez. It remains a great tournament for the Italian-French pair, but it was frankly too much to hope for in the feat against the world number 2s.
The final 6-1 6-2 perhaps represents too severe an epilogue for the last Italian player left on the scoreboard, who leaves Rome with the awareness of being able to improve further in the coming months. Everything was easy even for the number 1s Sanchez/Josemaria, executioner with a double 6-2 of their compatriots Caldera/Rufo in the first match of the evening session on the Centrale. Credit: FITP Photo
