An exciting day of padel came to an end at the Allianz Cloud on Friday as the quarter-finals of the Oysho Milano Premier Padel P1 produced expected victories for the top teams in both the men’s and women’s draws, setting up ‘perfect’ semi-finals on Saturday based on the FIP Ranking.
The standout moments included Calvo - Fernández’s (#4) commanding victory over their former partners, Sofia Araújo - Martita Ortega (#5), as well as Alejandra Salazar’s final match as a professional player on Italian soil, which ended in defeat against world No. 3s Ari Sánchez - Andrea Ustero.
The Germany P2 Champions Deliver Again
Since joining forces last July, Calvo - Fernández have gained more points than any other pair in the women's draw. They have won two titles, finished runners-up twice and have never failed to reach the semi-finals, and Friday was no different.
Their opponents, Ortega - Araújo, reached the quarter-finals without having to play a Round of 16 match after their scheduled opponents, Teresa Navarro - Marta Borrero, withdrew. However, they were unable to cope with the solidity of the Prodigy Girls, who cruised to a 6-1, 6-2 victory in just one hour and seven minutes.
It was the second time in just two weeks that Calvo - Fernández had defeated their former partners, having also faced them at the Germany P2. Ortega previously teamed up with Calvo, with whom she reached four semi-finals this season. Fernández, meanwhile, played alongside Araújo, with their runner-up finish at the Valencia P1 as their best result.
On Saturday, they will face Bea González - Paula Josemaría (#2), who reached the semi-finals after Tamara Icardo - Claudia Jensen (#6) were forced to retire due to Icardo’s injury at the start of the second set (6-1, RET). The clash means *Perlamita* and Calvo - Fernández will have faced each other at all three tournaments on this European swing, having also met in Rotterdam and Düsseldorf. Calvo - Fernández currently lead the head-to-head 3-2.
Salazar Bids Farewell to Italy with Pride
The most decorated player in padel history, a four-time world No. 1 with 59 titles and seven FIP World Cup victories to her name, played her final match as a professional on Italian soil alongside Aranza Osoro.
Sánchez - Ustero, one of the most in-form teams on Tour after winning two of the last three tournaments, produced an excellent performance to defeat them 6-4, 6-3 in one hour and 13 minutes. After the match, Salazar received a special gift from the Milano P1: a trophy featuring the word “gracias” prominently, in recognition of everything the Madrid-born player has contributed to padel throughout her career.
Following their victory, Sánchez - Ustero will once again face the world No. 1s, Gemma Triay - Delfi Brea, who defeated Jimena Velasco - Raquel Eugenio (#13) in straight sets (6-2, 7-6) in the opening match of the day. It will be the 11th meeting between the two teams this season, with the head-to-head currently tied at 5-5.
The Favourites Deliver Again
In the men’s draw, the top four teams also did what was required to remain in contention at the Milano P1, all securing straight-set victories.
The closest match saw Chingalán defeat the in-form Gonza Alfonso - Tino Libaak (#15), who earned their call-up to the Argentina national team for the FIP World Cup thanks to their excellent results in recent weeks.
The world No. 2s took control of the opening set 6-3 but had to save as many as three match points in the second set (5-6, 0-40) before eventually winning the contest in a tie-break.
On Saturday, they will face Juan Lebrón - Leo Augsburger (#3) in one of the most eagerly anticipated matches of the day. The team coached by Agustín Gómez Silingo defeated Javier Garrido - Juani De Pascual (#16), one of the tournament’s breakout teams after their impressive win over Paquito Navarro - Martín Di Nenno (#5) the previous day. After winning 7-6, 6-3, they will now look to overcome Chingalán for the first time in their sixth meeting of the season.
Finally, the last two Tour finals will be repeated, this time in the semi-finals. Agustín Tapia - Arturo Coello (#1) and Franco Stupaczuk - Jon Sanz (#4) will meet again after the Golden Boys won the Rotterdam P2 and Germany P2 title deciders.
The world No. 1s comfortably defeated Javi Leal - Fran Guerrero (#6) 6-2, 6-2, while Stupaczuk - Sanz left Lucas Campagnolo - Momo González (#7) with no chance, winning 6-3, 6-4 without conceding a single break point throughout the match.
The Semi-Finals Await
Here is Saturday 17 October’s order of play, with a major day in store at the Allianz Cloud as the ‘perfect’ semi-finals, based on the FIP Ranking, take centre stage:
2.00 p.m. CEST
Triay - Brea (#1) vs Sánchez - Ustero (#3)
Followed by
Tapia - Coello (#1) vs Stupaczuk - Sanz (#4)
Not before 6:00 p.m. CEST
Fernández - Calvo (#4) vs González - Josemaría (#2)
Followed by
Augsburger - Lebrón (#3) vs Chingotto - Galán (#2)
