Belasteguin bids farewell to Mexico for the final time

All first round matches from the GNP Mexico Major Premier Padel have now been completed and tomorrow’s second round will see several top seeds across both the men’s and women’s draw in action for the first time in the tournament.

Fernando Belasteguín is bidding farewell to Mexico for the final time as a professional player following his first round defeat. The 2022 Mexico Major champion was defeated in three sets by qualifiers Agustin Torre and Gerard Arnaldos who continue their strong start to the tournament, and will face Ramirez - Sans in the next round.

In his post-match interview, Torre - originally from Olavarría - but a resident for five years on Mexican soil expressed that he had lived his dream night. “I wanted to have the experience of facing the legend [Belasteguín] and now that we were able to win the match, I have no words to describe how I feel.”

The women’s competition delivered an epic match on Centre Court as the pairings of Canovas - Velasco and Arellano - Lujan - with an average age of 19 and half years old - battled it out in a match lasting almost 2 hours and 30 mins. It was Canovas - Velasco who triumphed with a dominant performance in the third-set tie-break to advance to the next round where they will face #8 seeds Virseda - Orsoro. 

It is not often family play against each other on the Qatar Airways Premier Padel Tour, but today’s opening match on the Cancha Caliente saw the battle of the Gutierrez family. It was the 10th seeds of Sanyo Gutierrez and partner Jose Antonio Diestro who emerged victorious against nephew Agustin Gutierrez and Jose Rico in a match which swung back and forth in both sets.

Noa Canovas and Jimena Velasco celebrate after their epic encounter