GEMMA AND CLAUDIA CLAIM THEIR 4TH TITLE OF THE YEAR IN VALLADOLID
With the conclusion of another Premier Padel event, the P2 of Valladolid, it’s becoming increasingly clear that, at this moment, Gemma Triay and Cláudia Fernandez are the only pair capable of challenging the dominance of Ari Sanchez and Paula Josémaria.
In a rematch of last week’s Rotterdam P1 final, Cláudia and Gemma entered this final well-prepared, correcting the mistakes of the previous match and displaying a very different competitive attitude.
Unlike the passivity shown in the Netherlands, the world no. 2 duo came into this final in high gear, catching Ari Sanchez and Paulita off guard, who only managed to balance the match sporadically.
With Cláudia Fernandez becoming more consistent and “working in the shadows” to make Gemma Triay shine, the score began to widen, and Ari and Paulita couldn’t counter their opponents' superior power. The 6-3 and 6-2 result was a clear reflection of the dominance of the Madrid and Mallorca players.
With this spectacular performance, Gemma and Cláudia achieved their fourth title of 2024, tying the head-to-head record with Ari and Paulita at 5-5.
ARTURO COELLO: THE KING OF VALLADOLID
In an epic final decided in three sets between the two best pairs in the world, Arturo Coello and Agustina Tapia once again defeated Fede Chingotto and Ale Galan, winning 6-4, 4-6, and 6-3.
Taking advantage of the fast court conditions at the Pisuerga Sports Complex, the final was played at a blistering pace with quick and spectacular points.
After a first set where the Golden Boys set the rhythm of the match, Galan and Chingotto mounted a comeback in the second set, managing to balance the contest and force a third-set decider.
In the decisive set, the world no. 2 pair generally performed better, but their lack of efficiency in crucial moments (wasting six break opportunities) cost them the victory. In contrast, Coello and Tapia managed to break in the eighth game and closed the match in the following game.
The victory for the world no. 1 pair crowned an unforgettable week for Arturo Coello, who achieved his dream of winning the title in his hometown. With this victory in Valladolid, Tapia and Coello claimed their fourth consecutive title, their ninth of the season, and extended their head-to-head advantage to 7-5 against Ale Galan and Fede Chingotto.
SOFIA ARAÚJO REACHES ANOTHER SEMIFINAL, AND ANA CATARINA NOGUEIRA IS FORCED TO WITHDRAW DUE TO A NEW INJURY
Sofia Araújo and Marta Ortega once again found themselves among the top four pairs in the circuit but were unable to reach the final. After a dominant and smooth run to the semifinals, Sofia and Ortega were defeated by Ari Sanchez and Paula Josémaria, 6-2 and 6-3.
Ana Catarina Nogueira, who played alongside Argentina’s Claudia Jensen in Valladolid, achieved one of her best results of the year by reaching the quarterfinals. Unfortunately, she was forced to withdraw from that round due to a recurrence of a recent injury to her left leg.