Favorites win, but one suprise

Picture: German Padel Open / Sascha Feuster

Today, the BOSS German Padel Open presented by SIXT were dominated by the men's and women's round of 16 matches. The complete squad of the top 10 players of the current ranking of the World Padel Tour (WPT) was challenged.

The starting signal for the round of 16 was given by none other than the number 1 and 2 of the world in the women's singles: Ariana Sánchez and Paula Josemaría. The two Spaniards gave their compatriots no chance winning 6-1, 6-1, impressively underlining their ambitions to win the title in Düsseldorf. Delfina Brea (7th in the WPT ranking) and Beatriz González (5th) also made it into the round of the last eight. The duo won against Marta Talaván and Nuria Rodríguez, who had defeated the German duo Denise Höfer and Victoria Kurz on center court at the CASTELLO the day before.

Qualified for the women's quarterfinals are:

- Ariana Sánchez (1st) & Paula Josemaría (2nd).

- Tamara Icardo (9th) & María Virginia (8th)

- Delfina Brea (7th) & Beatriz González (5th)

- Verónica Virseda (17th) & Claudia Jensen (11th)

- Claudia Fernández (20th) & Victoria Iglesias (19th)

- Gemma Triay (3rd) & Marta Ortega (6th)

- Lucía Sainz (15th) & Patricia Llaguno (18th)

- Alejandra Salazar (4th) & Sofia Araujo (10th).

Wins for the favorites and a surprise in the men's race

In the men's event, all but one of the favored duos made it to the quarterfinals. Among them are Miguel Yanguas (17th) and Fernando Belasteguín (12th), who beat Vincent Jülich and Daniel Lingen in the main round.

The main round defeaters of the second German men's duo of Johannes Lindmeyer and Matthias Wunner had the toughest nut to crack in the round of 16. And indeed, the number 1 team Agustín Tapia and Arturo Coello was also too high a hurdle for Iván Ramírez and Pablo García.

Valentino Libaak (41st) and Leandro Roman Augsburger (31st) provided a small surprise. They eliminated the team Jerónimo González (9th) and Javier Garrido Gómez (15th), which was clearly better placed in the WPT ranking.

Qualified for the men's quarterfinals are:

- Federico Chingotto (8th) & Francisco Navarro (7th).

- Miguel Yanguas (17th) & Fernando Belasteguín (12th).

- Valentino Libaak (41st) & Leandro Roman Augsburger (31st).

- Franco Stupaczuk (4th) & Martín Di Nenno (3rd)

- Agustín Tapia (2nd) & Arturo Coello (1st)

- Jorge Nieto (16th) & Jon Sanz (13th)

- Juan Tello (11th) & Alejandro Ruiz (14th)

- Alejandro Galán (5th) & Juan Lebrón (6th)

Funkel: "Padel will be noticed even more"

Friedhelm Funel with tournament director Dominik Beier; picture: German Padel Open / Sascha Feuster

Among the numerous spectators in the CASTELLO were again one or the other familiar face from outside the padel scene. Among them, for example, soccer coach Friedhelm Funkel, who followed the games enthusiastically.

"My first impression of the event is outstanding. Seeing these world-class players here in Düsseldorf is impressive. You can't get enough of it," said Funkel, adding with a wink: "But the top stars also show me that I still have a lot to learn in order to play padel properly." Funkel, himself a passionate tennis player, has "found great pleasure in padel in recent months."

Funkel is also optimistic about the growth potential for padel in Germany. He says, "Padel is a very attractive and spectator-friendly sport. I'm sure that padel will be even more noticed and accepted in Germany in the future, especially with events like this."

Funkel worked in his active career as a soccer coach for Eintracht Frankfurt, Hertha BSC and for years for Fortuna Düsseldorf, among others. Funkel has not been completely unknown to the court in the glass cage for quite some time. During his time at 1. FC Köln, the 69-year-old moved a training session with his professionals to the padel hall as early as 2021.

Round of 16, Kids and Students Day ahead

The BOSS German Padel Open presented by SIXT are entering the hot phase. Credit: German Padel Open / Sascha Feuster

The BOSS German Padel Open presented by SIXT continues with high tension and is entering the hot phase. On Thursday, 9/28, the round of 16 matches of the men and women are scheduled. A whole series of top 10 players of the current WPT ranking are at the start.

After the round of 16, the BOSS German Padel Open will continue with special events. For Friday, September 29, organizer WWP Group and tournament organizer e|motion have announced the "Kids Day". Visitors up to the age of 15 plus an accompanying adult do not have to pay an entrance fee on this day and can therefore watch all quarter-final matches for free.

On Saturday, September 30, the day of the semifinals, students can look forward to a special offer. They will receive a 50 percent discount on tickets for the matches on the center court of the CASTELLO during the "Students Day" on the semifinal day. Tickets in this category are limited - so it pays to be early. Finally, the finals will take place on Sunday, Oct. 01.