They were the first stars to make their mark at the Allianz Cloud, winning the first two editions of a tournament that has since become a classic on the world padel circuit, in 2022 and 2023. Ale Galan and Juan Lebron returned on Wednesday for their opening matches at the 2026 Oysho Milano Premier Padel P1, an eagerly awaited debut that got the stands buzzing throughout the afternoon and evening. The world number 3 and number 5 delivered as expected. Playing alongside Fede Chingotto, Galan beat brothers Miguel and Nuno Deus 6-1 6-2, beginning his bid for a second consecutive title in Milan – and a fourth overall – following last year’s triumph with his Argentine partner. The “Lobo”, meanwhile, is chasing a third Milano P1 title. Partnering Leo Augsburger, Lebron began his campaign with a 7-5 6-1 win over Fede Mouriño and Marc Quilez.
Standing between them and a possible place in Sunday’s final is a potential semi-final meeting: another chapter in the rivalry between two former partners who have also provided plenty of entertainment when facing each other across the net. The prospect comes just days before the FIP World Cup in Doha in November, where they will once again line up side by side. Lebron will have extra motivation, too: his run at the Milano P1 has ended in the semi-finals in each of the last two editions. In 2024, playing alongside Martin Di Nenno, he was eliminated by Galan and Chingotto themselves; last year, world number ones Arturo Coello and Agustin Tapia blocked his path alongside Franco Stupaczuk. For now, though, the focus is on the round of 16. Galan and Chingotto will face surprise package Xisco Gil and Rama Valenzuela on Thursday in the final match of the day on Central Court. Gil and Valenzuela came from behind to beat seventh seeds Juan Tello and Maxi Arce 2-6 6-3 7-6. Lebron and Augsburger will be on court earlier against Edu Alonso and Aimar Goñi, who defeated Geens and Guichard 7-5 7-6.
In the men’s draw, Jose Jimenez and Alex Arroyo also advanced, beating Gonzalez and Cabeza 6-4, 3-6, 7-5. They will now face top seeds Tapia and Coello. In the women’s draw, Lorena Rufo and Victoria Iglesias reached the round of 16 with a 6-1, 3-6, 6-4 win over Manquillo and Sainz.