Milan, Dec. 7, 2022 – Padel fans have been waiting for a day like this for a long time. All the world’s top players on the same court, one after the other, making their debut in the Milano Premier Padel P1, with the draw lining up in the round of 16. None of the big players disappointed, all of whom will be back on the court tomorrow. Crazy atmosphere for world no. 1 Ale Galan and Juan Lebron, for legend Fernando Belasteguín – for 16 years at the top of the rankings – and for “Paquito” Navarro who, after winning his match against the very young Edu Alonso and Juanlu Esbri paired with Juan Tello, celebrated to the rhythm of “Freed from Desire,” Gala’s famous hit, now anthem of stadiums and arenas worldwide and turned into “Paquito is on Fire” in Padel. “I’ve seen some videos on social and it seems to me that the atmosphere of the event is perfect – said the Milanese singer to the official channels of the tournament. Everything’s nice, and the fact that the tournament is in my city makes it all the more special.”
RESULTS In the opening match of the evening session, it took only 55 minutes to Galan and Lebron to get rid of Martinez/Mercadal. An easy 6-2 6-4 to begin the hunt for their fourth Premier Padel circuit title after those in Rome (at Foro Italico), Paris and Madrid. In the round of 16, Spanish world no. 1 will face their compatriots Marcos/Ramirez. The debut of Fernando Belasteguín and Arturo Coello, fresh from their triumph in Mexico, was also a winner: 6-2 6-4 to Vilariño/Muñoz, next appointment against Gonzalez Barrahona/Garcia Mora. Job done for Fede Chingotto and Javi Garrido who won 6-1 6-4 to Bautista Ortiz and Del Castillo Marin: in the round of 16, Leal (2003) and Yanguas (2002). The best version of Navarro and Tello, 2nd seed, was indeed needed to defeat Alonso/Esbri (both born in 2001): the final 6-4 7-6, however, bring “Paquito” and “El Gato” to face Campagnolo and Sanz in the same round of 16 that, a week ago in Monterrey, cost them the elimination. The team that played with fire during their debut at Allianz Cloud were the “pareja” formed by Franco Stupaczuk and Pablo Lima, who needed the third set, after losing the first one, to eliminate Bueno/Quilez (3-6 6-1 7-5). In the third round, they’ll be facing Ruiz/Bergamini.
ITALIANS The adventure of Simone Cremona and Marco Cassetta, who tried their best but had to bow to the very strong Momo Gonzalez and Alex Ruiz, ended with honor in the second round. The Italian pair – who had won the derby against Lorenzo Di Giovanni and Denny Cattaneo yesterday at Allianz Cloud – lost 6-1 6-3 against the Spaniards, sixth seed of the tournament. Italian-Argentinians Emiliano Iriart (paired with Spaniard Cordoba, 6-3 6-3 against Ruiz/Bergamini) and Denis Perino (with Spaniard Sergio Alba Sanchez, 6-3 6-2 against Sanchez/Capra) were also defeated. The only Italian still in the running is another Italian-Argentinian: Facundo Dominguez, paired with Frenchman Benjamin Tison will face tomorrow Spaniards Miguel Semmler and José David Sanchez, who took advantage of the forfeit of Martin Di Nenno and Jorge Nieto.
ON TV The Milano Premier Padel P1 is broadcast in 190 countries around the world, including the Premier Padel YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/@PremierPadelTV). In Italy, it is Sky Sport that provides outstanding coverage of the event: Sky Sport Tennis (channel 205) will offer live coverage of the evening session on Thursday and the full program of the quarterfinals on Friday 9 (beginning at noon), the semifinals on Saturday 10 and the final on Sunday 11, both starting at 5 p.m. There will also be live updates and live coverage from Allianz Cloud on Sky Sports 24.
Milan Premier Padel P1 is the last seasonal stop of the circuit organized by the International Padel Federation (FIP) and supported by the Professional Padel Association (PPA), the entity that brings together professional players, and Qatar Sports Investments (QSI)