The FIP Gold Belgrade tournament concluded with high-stakes victories that significantly impacted the world rankings ahead of the upcoming Paris Major. Beyond the trophy and 150 FIP ranking points, the event served as a critical battleground for players looking to secure favorable seeding for the remainder of the Premier Padel season.
Tournament Results and Strategic Implications
The men’s final featured a high-profile matchup between two newly formed pairings, with Franco Stupaczuk and Jon Sanz emerging victorious over Coki Nieto and Mike Yanguas. The women’s final saw a resilient comeback from Lorena Rufo and Victoria Iglesias, who overcame a set deficit to claim the title. Here are the key takeaways from the event:
- Stupaczuk and Sanz’s Strategic Win: By defeating their former partners 6-3, 7-5, Franco Stupaczuk and Jon Sanz successfully secured the number 4 seed position. This placement is vital for the upcoming Paris Major, as it ensures they will avoid facing the world’s top-ranked pairs until at least the semi-final stage.
- Momentum for Stupaczuk: This victory marks Stupaczuk’s second title on the 2026 CUPRA FIP Tour, following his previous success at the FIP Platinum in Tirana. He noted that the pair developed a strong understanding quickly, despite it being their debut tournament together.
- Rufo and Iglesias’ Comeback: As the number 2 seeds, Lorena Rufo and Victoria Iglesias demonstrated significant mental toughness in the women’s final. After dropping the first set, they rallied to defeat Ale Salazar and Aranzazu Osoro with a final score of 4-6, 6-3, 6-1.
- Building Confidence for the Tour: Both winners emphasized the importance of team chemistry. Iglesias highlighted the mutual support required to navigate a tough tournament, while Rufo noted that the win provides a much-needed confidence boost as they head into the next series of professional events.
With the Belgrade results now official, the focus shifts immediately to the Madrid P1 tournament, which begins tomorrow. The performance of these pairs in Serbia sets the stage for a highly competitive stretch of play leading into the prestigious Paris Major.
