Dubai is hosting the final P1 tournament of the season this week, following a memorable FIP World Cup that saw the Spanish men’s and women’s national teams claim historic victories over Argentina.

For the third consecutive year, the spectacular Hamdan Sports Complex is serving as the home of the Qatar Airways Premier Padel Tour, and it witnessed the opening-round action in both the men’s and women’s draws this Tuesday.

Rufo-Iglesias Build on Their Winning Momentum

The Spanish team claimed one of the day’s standout victories against Alejandra Salazar-Aranza Osoro, the tournament’s No. 8 seeds. It was a match full of twists and turns that eventually went their way in three sets, 6-3, 2-6, 6-2.

Rufo-Iglesias are therefore continuing their upward trajectory after arriving in Dubai fresh from reaching the quarter-finals of the Kuwait Major, their best result of the season so far.

On the other side, recent world championship runner-up Osoro and her partner Salazar suffered a disappointing defeat. Their first-round exit has made their chances of qualifying for the Finals considerably more difficult. The season-ending event will bring together the top 16 players in the FIP Race in mid-December at Barcelona’s Palau Sant Jordi.

The PROMISING PAIR Keeps Winning

Coquito Zamora-Marc Sintes (#23), who made history in Kuwait by becoming the youngest team ever to reach the quarter-finals of a Majo with a combined age of just 38, continued their excellent run of form in Dubai with a solid victory.

The Spanish pair booked their place in the next round against the experienced Argentine team of Maxi Sánchez-Lucho Capra, who had come through qualifying. As a reward, Zamora-Sintes will face a tough test on Wednesday against Coki Nieto-Mike Yanguas (#5), who were recently crowned world champions with the Spanish national team.

From Qualifying to the Round of 16

In the women’s draw, the newly formed team of Germany’s No. 1 Victoria Kurz and Spaniard Marta Arellano secured victory against Malena De León-María Constanza, who were making their main-draw debuts after receiving a Wild Card.

Kurz-Arellano showed excellent adaptability to seal a 6-3, 6-1 victory in just one hour. The result means Kurz will reach the Round of 16 for the second time this year, having previously done so at the Paris Major, while Arellano will make her first appearance at this stage on Tour.

They were not the only team to reach the Round of 16 after coming through qualifying. Amanda López and Camila Fassio, the latter the sister of recent world championship runner-up Martina Fassio, upset Marta Caparrós-Águeda Pérez 7-5, 6-3 in one hour and 28 minutes. At just 19 years old, the younger Fassio sister will make her first appearance in the Round of 16 on Tour.

Tapia-Coello Withdraw from Dubai P1

The leading men’s teams will begin their campaigns on Wednesday, but Agustín Tapia-Arturo Coello will be absent. The Golden Boys, who secured their position at the top of the rankings for a fourth consecutive year by winning the Kuwait Major, will not compete in Dubai due to a last-minute injury to Tapia. Their place in the main draw will be taken by a Lucky Loser team.

As a result, Juan Lebrón-Leo Augsburger will be the highest-ranked team making its debut on Wednesday, facing Pol Hernández-Manu Castaño (#20). Franco Stupaczuk-Jon Sanz (#3) will also take to the court against Andrés Fernández-José Diestro (#27), while Paquito Navarro-Martín Di Nenno (#4) will face Manuel Aragón-Albert Roglán, who came through qualifying.