The CUPRA Rotterdam Premier Padel P2 enters its decisive stages following Thursday’s Round of 16, which saw the best players in the world take center stage in The Netherlands. All favourite pairings won, with Escacena-Jensen and Riera-Bidahorria becoming the main protagonists in the women’s draw.

In the men’s draw, Gonza Alfonso and Tino Libaak (#11) continued their excellent run of form in recent weeks by knocking out Fran Guerrero and Javi Leal (#7), who arrived to the tournament after being crowned champions last week of the FIP Platinum Lyon.

Escacena Seized Her Opportunity

The 19-year-old Claudia Escacena, who won the 2025 FIP Junior World Cup by Pairs with Spain, has written one of the tournament’s standout stories after producing an impressive performance alongside Claudia Jensen .

An injury to Jensen’s regular teammate, Tamara Icardo, opened the door for Escacena, who received an individual Lucky Loser spot to compete alongside the Argentine this week. On Thursday, she showed that she was ready to compete with the world’s best pairs.

They faced Lorena Rufo and Victoria Iglesias (#10), securing an important straight-sets victory (6-4, 7-5) after a close match. As a reward, Escacena will play her first Premier Padel quarter-finals against Martina Calvo and Claudia Fernández (#4), one of the Tour’s most in-form pairs at this stage of the season, having won one title (London P1), reached two finals and one semi-final in just four tournaments.

“Thank you for trusting in me and fighting until the very end. Let’s keep giving it everything tomorrow,” Escacena wrote on social media after securing the best result of her young career to date.

Joining her in the quarter-finals are the experienced pair of Virginia Riera and Julieta Bidahorria, who had arrived in Rotterdam after conquering two consecutive FIP Silver titles in Nairobi and Houten.

The team produced one of the day’s biggest upsets, defeating No. 7 seeds Alejandra Alonso and Marina Guinart (6-3, 6-7, 6-3) who had reached three quarter-finals and one semi-final in their first five tournaments together. As a reward, they will also play their first Premier Padel quarter-finals of the year.

Their next challenge will be Ari Sánchez and Andrea Ustero (#3), the newly crowned Paris Major champions, who haven’t competed yet in Rotterdam after their Round of 16 opponents, Lucía Sainz and Sofía Saiz, withdrew due to Lucía’s injury. 

Libaak and Alfonso Are Chasing a Dream

The Argentinians Tino Libaak and Gonza Alfonso, seeded No. 11 in Rotterdam, continue to show that their level has only risen since joining forces in July. They reached the semi-finals of the Madrid P1, have added two FIP Silver titles in Porto St. Elpidio and Budapest, and on Thursday once again proved that their outstanding performance in Spain was not pure luck.

They showcased their strengths on the Rotterdam Ahoy’s court to defeat Leal and Guerrero (7-5, 3-6, 6-4) after a tough battle that lasted two hours and 19 minutes.

This impressive run continues to put them in contention for a place in the Argentina squad at the FIP World Cup, which will be held in Qatar from November 2 to 7. The fact that they are competing as a team could also strengthen their chances of receiving the call-up from national team coaches Rodri Ovide and Gaby Reca, who will announce their list of eight players in the coming weeks.

A Stellar Quarter-Final Line-Up in Rotterdam

On Friday, the Dutch crowd will have the chance to enjoy a spectacular line-up of quarter-final clashes at the Rotterdam P2, with all four top-seeded men’s and women’s pairs performing after winning their Round of 16 games in straight sets. Here is the order of play:

10.30 a.m. (Rotterdam time)

Fernández - Calvo (#4) vs Escacena - Jensen (#8)

Followed by

Marta Ortega - Sofia Araújo (#5) vs Paula Josemaría - Bea González (#2)

Followed by

Lucas Campagnolo - Momo González (#8) vs Paquito Navarro - Martín Di Nenno (#4)

Not before 2.30 p.m.

Agustín Tapia - Arturo Coello (#1) vs Libaak - Alfonso (#11)

Starting at 3.00 p.m.

Riera - Bidahorria (#17) vs Sánchez - Ustero (#3)

Not before 6.30 p.m.

Delfi Brea - Gemma Triay (#1) vs Alejandra Salazar - Aranza Osoro (#8)

Followed by

Ale Galán - Fede Chingotto (#2) vs Franco Stupaczuk - Jon Sanz (#5)

Followed by

Juan Lebrón - Leo Augsburger (#3) vs Coki Nieto - Mike Yanguas (#6)