The curtain came down on a fantastic week of padel at Roland Garros this Sunday with the finals of the fight edition of the Alpine Paris Major Premier Padel. Ari Sánchez - Andrea Ustero and Agustín Tapia - Arturo Coello shone on the 20x10 to leave iconic Court Philippe Chatrier as the two most tenacious teams of the tournament, which set a new attendance record with 81,000 spectators throughout the week.

A Perfect Performance Worthy of a Major Title

Sánchez - Ustero wrote their own story in Paris with a commanding victory under the roof of Philippe Chatrier, which was closed due to rain before the start of the match. The No. 3 seeds completely dominated the encounter, securing the win of the unprecedented clash against Martina Calvo - Claudia Fernández (#4) in just one hour and eleven minutes.

Their superiority was total from the very first point. Sánchez dictated the pace, controlling the ball and creating spaces on court that Ustero took full advantage of with her smash. The result was a 6-2 without conceding a single break point.

In the second set, they completely shut down any possibility of a response from their opponents. Their intensity increased and their efficiency was key, converting all three break points they created to seal a resounding 6-0 and claim their first Major trophy as a team, their third title of the season following their victories in Riyadh and Valencia.

“We had to be really focused from the start because our opponents play very well. We did a perfect match. Ari showed her best version and I showed mine,” Ustero said after winning the youngest final in a Major, with the four players having a combined age of 86.

“Today we played a ten out of ten. To win like this against Calvo - Fernández means that we did things really well because they are playing at a very high level. We have been training for this, and being able to show our best version in the final is incredible. This is a victory for the whole team. I want to congratulate Andrea because she played really well again today and is improving so much. She is going to win a lot of titles,” said Sánchez, who has conquered three of the four women’s editions of the tournament.

An historic comeback for the Golden Boys 

The world’s top two men’s teams met next, this time with the sun bathing Philippe Chatrier in a golden glow that would eventually crown Tapia - Coello in one of the matches of the season. The Golden Boys once again delivered when it mattered in the French capital, where they have now claimed four consecutive titles, the last three against Chingalán, who came closer than ever to winning on this occasion.

Superclásicos are usually decided by fine margins, and this time was no different. The No. 1 seeds tipped the balance in their favour in the opening set when Tapia hit a corner volley on a Star Point to secure the only break and take the lead (6-3). Soon afterwards, the No. 2 seeds responded, stepping up their game to force the final into a deciding set. Galán left the court to produce a no-look backhand that flew through both court doors, delighting the packed stands at Philippe Chatrier and levelling the match with a 6-4.

Jorge Martínez’s team had the momentum on their side, but they couldn’t end the game in their favour. Galán was unstoppable, producing winner after winner, while El Ratón was winning the cross-court battle with Coello. But at 5-3 and serving, all changed.

It was then when Tapia - Coello showed the fighting spirit of world No. 1s, overcoming the nerves, the tension of the match and their opponents’ outstanding level to break back and take the match into a tie-break, where Chingalán didn’t respond.

With this victory, the team coached by Gustavo Pratto successfully defended the title they had won in each of the previous three years, added 2,000 valuable points to their FIP Race tally and claimed their second Major of the season.

“We have no words. It was another great battle against Chingalán, who are an incredible team. They fight in every tournament and every match. They should have won, but we did. I’m very happy to play alongside Agus… I love him more every day!” said the King after the match.

“The feeling I have right now is incredible. I love Arturo, who works alongside me tirelessly to make these things happen. And our team and families, who gave everything so that we could be here today. Without them, we would be nothing. There is still a lot of the year left, but these matches mean everything,” said the Mozart of Catamarca after the match.

After this incredible week of padel at one of the most iconic venues on the circuit, the next stop on the Qatar Airways Premier Padel Tour calendar will be the Rotterdam P2, which will take place from September 28 to October 4.