Defending champions want to stay on the throne. Arturo Coello and Agustin Tapia continue their march in the Oysho Milano Premier Padel P1: the world number 1s and top seeds in the men’s draw beat Paquito Navarro and Jon Sanz 6-3 6-2 in one hour and three minutes, confirming their status as the pair to beat. Against Arturito and Agus, you can’t afford to make mistakes, and above all, you have to take advantage of every opportunity they give you: Paquito and Jon, seeded number 5, failed to capitalise on four break points in the first set, before being dominated in the second. “It’s never easy to face Jon and Paquito, especially now that they’re playing together – said Coello after the match –. But we played a good game, we stayed focused and we felt very comfortable on the court”. Tapia confirmed: “We’re improving, I’m very happy with how the match went, on a court where the atmosphere is always special”. A challenging semi-final lies ahead, but Coello is already looking beyond that: “Would I like to play another final with the “Chingalan”? I’d sign up for that right away”, he replied.
Meanwhile, in the women’s draw, also Paula Josemaria and Ari Sanchez continue their journey. After yesterday’s thrilling start against Canovas/Rodriguez, the number two seeds advanced with a 6-4 6-4 victory over Martina Calvo and Ale Salazar. It was a solid performance in a difficult match, which they took control of immediately with breaks at the start of the first and second sets, taking them to their fourth consecutive semi-final after Paris, Dusseldorf and Rotterdam. The chase for Gemma Triay and Delfi Brea remains the goal: “They are at their best right now. They have what I would call a “winning memory” because they have already won a lot this year, and that is something that stays in your head and gives you confidence”, explains Ari. “We are in a different phase – adds Paula –. We are getting back to our best and our game. But I think we are improving and the challenge with them motivates us even more. We study their game, and they do the same with us. It’s a continuous “mutual adaptation”, and that helps us improve”.
