Credit: German Padel Open / Sascha Feuster
When the crème de la crème of the worldwide padel scene entered Düsseldorf's CASTELLO for their semi-final showdowns, their path led past a long line of visitors. Warm morning sun, best mood and approachable stars who fulfilled selfie and autograph requests: Everything was ready for high-class matches and great sport. And the fans were not disappointed.
Di Nenno and Stupaczuk get their act together
The first semifinal was contested by the men. That the Spaniard Francisco Navarro (7th place in the WPT ranking) and his Argentine playing partner Federico Chingotto (8th) are anything but to be underestimated was clear to their Argentine opponents Martín Di Nenno (3rd) and Franco Stupaczuk (4th) beforehand. But they probably didn't expect a 0-6 defeat in the first set. But "Stupa" and Di Nenno recovered from the initial shock and fought back with a dominant 6-2 set win. So the spectators* in the Düsseldorf CASTELLO got a surcharge, the gripping match culminated in the all-decisive third set.
Navarro and Chingotto remained stubborn opponents until the score was 3-3, but then the match tipped in favor of Di Nenno and Stupaczuk who tightened the reins and left no room for speculation as to who would walk off the court as the winner. The 6-3 set victory gave the two the ticket for the grand final in Düsseldorf on Sunday after just under two hours.
Triay/Ortega get chance to take revenge for Madrid
After that, it came to the big showdown in the women's singles. Gemma Triay (3rd) and Marta Ortega (6th) had to face Lucía Sainz (15th) and Patricia Llaguno (18th). On paper, it was a clear-cut affair, but Triay/Ortega were forewarned: the day before, their opponents had defeated the favored team Delfina Brea (7th)/Beatriz González (5th) in three sets in the quarterfinals.
In the semifinals, however, Sainz and Llaguno were denied another surprise coup. Gemma Triay and Marta Ortega showed no mercy and won 6-2 and a hard-fought 7-6 until the tiebreak.
In the final on Sunday, Triay and Ortega will face the world's undisputed No. 1 team this year: Ariana Sánchez and Paula Josemaría. The two Spaniards entered the final in Düsseldorf without a fight because their opponents Tamara Icardo (9th) and María Virginia (8th) had to withdraw due to injury.
This means a rematch of the recent final in Madrid: at the Masters final in the Spanish capital, Triay/Ortega lost to their compatriots Sánchez/Josemaría in two sets, 3-6 and 6-7 - now they have the chance for revenge just one week later.
Galán/Lebrón knock out No. 1 team
The third and final semifinal was the highlight of the day, eagerly awaited by all the fans in the packed CASTELLO. The world number 1 and 2, Arturo Coello from Spain and Agustín Tapia from Argentina, were challenged by two masters of their trade: Alejandro Galán (5th) and Juan Lebrón (6th). A duel that has already taken place three times as a final on the World Padel Tour this season. In Abu Dhabi, Chile and in Vigo, Spain, Coello/Tapia prevailed in each case. And in Düsseldorf?
It was yet the same - at least in the first set. Coello/Tapia won the first set clearly 6-3. But Galán and Lebrón fought their way back into the match and finally won the second set in a dramatic tiebreak. And the two Argentines continued to have the upper hand, leading 3-0 in the third set after a little less than two hours. Coello/Tapia did not let themselves be shaken off, however, and came back to 3-4 and 4-5. But the match did not take another turn: Galán/Lebrón had their first match point after 2 hours and 28 minutes - and used it to reach the final. In the final, the two will meet the Argentinians Martín Di Nenno (3rd) and Franco Stupaczuk (4th).
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