Marina Calvo and Marta Ortega won a dramatic battle against their future partners, while Paquito Navarro and Martín Di Nenno delivered an inspired performance to eliminate fourth seeds Mike Yanguas and Franco Stupaczuk on an eventful quarter-final day at the Andalucía Málaga Premier Padel P1.

Calvo and Ortega produced the women’s result of the day, defeating Claudia Fernández and Sofía Araujo 3-6, 6-4, 7-6(2) after more than three hours. The match carried an added layer of intrigue ahead of the upcoming changes in partnerships: from Pretoria, Calvo will join Fernández, while Ortega will team up with Araujo.

After losing the opening set, the sixth seeds fought their way back into the contest and held their nerve in a decisive tie-break to secure their place in the semi-finals.

Navarro and Di Nenno then brought energy, character and quality to the centre court as they overcame Yanguas and Stupaczuk 7-5, 6-3 in 87 minutes. The sixth seeds once again showed the chemistry and form they have found since reuniting, taking control of a tight opening set before powering through the second.

Their victory was followed by one of the celebrations of the tournament, with Navarro turning DJ on court and Di Nenno recreating the World Cup gesture of fellow Argentine Enzo Fernández.

Arturo Coello and Agustín Tapia, meanwhile, had to summon all their resilience to avoid a major upset. Aimar Goñi and Edu Alonso came close to becoming the first pair in more than a year to defeat the world No.1s before a final, taking the opening set and competing until the final point. Coello and Tapia nevertheless responded like champions, recovering to win 6-7(5), 6-1, 6-4 and preserve their remarkable run.

Alejandro Galán and Federico Chingotto booked their semi-final place with a 6-3, 7-6(5) victory over Fran Guerrero and Javi Leal, while Juan Lebrón and Leo Augsburger dispatched Javi Garrido and Lucas Campagnolo 6-3, 6-2. Those results set up another eagerly anticipated chapter in the rivalry between former partners Lebrón and Galán on Saturday.

In the women’s draw, Triay and Brea gained immediate revenge over Tamara Icardo and Claudia Jensen, the pair who had defeated them in the Bordeaux final only days earlier. The world No.1s delivered a commanding response, winning 6-2, 6-4 in 94 minutes to continue their pursuit of another title.

Málaga’s Bea González also enjoyed another victory in front of her home crowd alongside Paula Josemaría. The second seeds defeated Bea Caldera and Carmen Goenaga 6-1, 6-3, before Gilardoni fulfilled the promise made in Valladolid by putting on a wig during the post-match interview.