The king won at home. After Malaga, Madrid and Rotterdam, Arturo Coello is also celebrating in the city that saw him born. The Oysho Valladolid Premier Padel P2 is the fourth title in a row for Coello and Agustin Tapia, the ninth of an impressive season. Fede Chingotto and Ale Galan won a set, something that had not happened in the previous three matches, but they could do nothing on a day that had begun with the triumph in the women’s tournament of Gemma Triay and Claudia Fernandez, in the final over Paula Josemaria and Ari Sanchez.
MEN In a sold-out Polideportivo Pisuerga, the men’s final had started very well for Coello and Tapia, ahead by a break; however, the ‘Chingalan’ came back immediately, able to recover the break. At the third set point, on 4-5, Chingotto’s smash on the glass gave the first set to Coello and Tapia. Unlike the last three finals, all closed in two sets, in Valladolid Chingotto and Galan remained in the match: the break at 2-1 was decisive to win a set after seven losses in a row, and the match was decided in the third, where the level of the match was raised again. The break that won it for Coello and Tapia came at 5-3, before the great joy and even tears of ‘Arturito’ after the 6-4 4-6 6-3 final. “This is a special title, which came at the end of a very tough match – Coello said –. I thank Agus for giving me the strength to win, he is the best partner I could have had. It was great to win in my city, the dedication goes to my grandfather: he’s not here for two and a half years and I miss him every day. I hope that from where he is now he was able to enjoy himself”. “I’m privileged to be able to play with Arturo – Tapia added –. We faced two “animals”, every match with them is a story in itself. I’m really happy, now let’s celebrate then we will think about the next tournament”.
WOMEN For the first time, Gemma Triay and Claudia Fernandez overcame Paula Josemaria and Ari Sanchez in a final (5-5 in the overall head to head). For number 3 and for the one who from tomorrow will be number 4 in the FIP ranking, the fourth title of the season (joining Delfi Brea and Bea Gonzalez) comes at the end of a final that lasted one hour and 21 minutes and ended 6-3 6-2. The match started well for Triay/Fernandez, who were ahead by two breaks (4-0): then the reaction of the world number 1s, who recovered two breaks and even had the chance to go back up to 4-4. Gemma and Claudia’s new stretch, however, was worth the first set and a new sprint start in the second set, with two breaks in the opening set that made Paula and Ari’s mission impossible. “By now we know each other very well: once one pair wins, once the other wins – Triay said –. This time it was our turn. After two breaks, Paula and Ari started playing as number 1s, but we stayed together playing with joy and determination. We are happy to have shared this title with all the people close to us. Winning is always special: thank you all”. “I’m very happy with this week, and it’s nice that the family that has supported me since I was a child is here with me – added Fernandez -. Now we have a few days of rest, then we will think about Paris”.
After three tournaments in three weeks (Madrid, Rotterdam and Valladolid), the Premier Padel circuit will return from 30 September to 6 October with the third Major of the season, the one scheduled in Paris in the extraordinary setting of Roland Garros.