Casablanca title race begins: Ferreyra-Minelli in the spotlight
Pro Tour

Casablanca title race begins: Ferreyra-Minelli in the spotlight

Padel FIP September 10, 2026 Today
Padel FIPpro-tour

The FIP Bronze Shell Casablanca tournament is set to kick off this weekend, featuring a mix of rising international stars and local talent competing for the title in Morocco. The main draw runs from Friday, September 11, through Sunday, September 13, with the tournament serving as a critical stage for young players looking to climb the FIP rankings.

Key Contenders and Tournament Outlook

The women’s draw is headlined by the No. 2 seeded pairing of Maria Laura Ferreyra and Matilde Minelli. Ferreyra, an Argentine player currently ranked No. 85, has enjoyed a breakout 2026 season, securing victories at FIP Bronze events in Alessandria, Egypt, and Burriana, Spain. She has also demonstrated her ability to compete at the highest levels of the sport, reaching the round of 32 at both the Rome Major and the Bordeaux P2 on the Premier Padel circuit. Her partner, 17-year-old Minelli, is aiming for her first career CUPRA FIP Tour title after a narrow runner-up finish at the FIP Bronze Manama in 2025.

The competition in Casablanca is fierce, with several notable pairings vying for the top spot:

  • Aimee Gibson and Eugenia Guimet: As the highest-ranked pairing in the tournament, they are the team to beat. Gibson enters the event with momentum, having previously defeated Minelli in the 2025 Manama final.
  • Claudia Ordoñez and Daniela Portilla: Representing the next generation of talent, both players were born in 2009 and are looking to make a significant impact on the tour.
  • Natalia Molinilla and Ana Cristina Sanchez: This duo rounds out the notable pairings to watch in the women’s field.
  • Pablo Landáburu and Luis Oliver Artigas: Leading the men’s draw, this pair has proven chemistry, having won the FIP Bronze Kuala Lumpur title earlier this year. Landáburu also brings additional winning experience to the court, having secured a victory at the FIP Bronze Jakarta in July.
  • Pablo Reina and Marcel Font: Seeded second, this team features Reina, who has been highly successful in 2026 with three CUPRA FIP Tour titles (Yogyakarta and two events in Hong Kong), and 19-year-old Font, who is hunting for his first professional win.
  • Miguel Morales and Alejandro Garcia: Entering as the No. 3 seeds, this pair is expected to be a major factor in the men’s bracket.
  • Mahmoud Menjra and Alberto Garcia: As the No. 4 seeds, local favorite Menjra will look to leverage home-court advantage alongside his partner, Garcia.

In addition to the international contenders, the tournament will feature six Moroccan home players in the main draw, adding local excitement to the weekend’s proceedings. The event concludes on Sunday, September 13, with the semi-finals and finals determining the champions.

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Source
Padel FIP https://www.padelfip.com/2026/09/casablanca-title-race-begins-ferreyra-minelli-in-the-spotlight/

This article was originally published by Padel FIP. The summary above was generated for informational purposes. For the full story, visit the original source.

Frequently Asked Questions

When does the FIP Bronze Shell Casablanca tournament take place?
The tournament runs from Friday, September 11, through Sunday, September 13. The event concludes on Sunday with the semi-finals and final matches.
Who are the top-seeded women's and men's pairings in Casablanca?
The women's draw is headlined by the No. 2 seeded pairing of Maria Laura Ferreyra and Matilde Minelli, while Aimee Gibson and Eugenia Guimet enter as the highest-ranked team. In the men's draw, Pablo Landáburu and Luis Oliver Artigas lead as the top seeds, followed by Pablo Reina and Marcel Font.
Which local players are participating in the FIP Bronze Shell Casablanca?
The tournament features six Moroccan home players in the main draw. Among the notable local entries is Mahmoud Menjra, who is competing as a No. 4 seed alongside his partner Alberto Garcia.
What is the significance of the Casablanca tournament for players like Maria Laura Ferreyra?
The event serves as a critical stage for young players looking to climb the FIP rankings. For Maria Laura Ferreyra, who is currently ranked No. 85, it is an opportunity to continue her breakout 2026 season following previous victories in Alessandria, Egypt, and Burriana.

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