HAS THE REIGN OF TOLITO AND GONZA COME TO AN END?
The tenth event of the year in the A1 Padel circuit will undoubtedly go down in history for several reasons: the first event in this circuit ever played in the Community of Madrid; the first final in 2024 without Tolito Aguirre and Gonza Alfonso; the first title won by a non-Argentinian player in 2024; the first final featuring two non-Argentinian players in 2024; the first title for Maxi Arce without Franco Dal Bianco by his side, and the first career final for Martin Abud.
For all these reasons, this Madrid tournament was truly special, culminating in a victory for Maxi Arce and Pablo Lijó. In a three-set final, the Argentine and the Spaniard defeated Tito Allemandi and Martin Abud 6-1, 3-6, 6-1.
While this was the decisive match of the A1 Madrid Open, the “real final” took place on Saturday in the semi-final between Tolito Aguirre / Gonza Alfonso and Maxi Arce / Pablo Lijó. It was a long, nearly three-hour battle, with several lead changes, ending with a 7-6, 4-6, 7-5 victory for Arce and Lijó.
COQUITO ZAMORA AND MARIANO GONZALEZ – TWO NAMES TO WATCH
Since this circuit doesn’t attract the biggest names in the world of padel, its strategy focuses on bringing in young rising stars. The Spanish Coquito Zamora and Paraguayan Mariano Gonzalez are prime examples. This young duo, both teenagers (Coquito, 16, and Mariano, 17), reached the quarterfinals for the first time, only losing to the eventual winners of the A1 Madrid Open, Lijó and Arce, in a tight 7-6, 6-4 match. This clearly shows that they will soon be regularly contending in the final stages of this circuit's events.
PEDRO PERRY’S BRIEF STINT IN MADRID
Unlike in many of the previous tournaments, only Pedro Perry represented Portugal in the Spanish capital, once again partnering with Argentine Facundo Lopez. Despite being favored in their first-round match, Perry and Lopez delivered a performance well below their potential, falling to Victor Saenz and Francisco Maier.
The A1 Padel circuit now takes a two-week break, returning on October 14 with the Seville Master, a top-tier event in this circuit.