The Mediterranean Games in Taranto have reached a pivotal stage as the women’s padel tournament moves into the semi-finals following a dominant Day 5. With Spain and Portugal securing their spots in the final four, the competition for the inaugural gold medal is intensifying at the Salinella Mediterranean Park.
The Road to the Semi-Finals
The quarter-final matches saw top-tier talent assert their dominance on Centre Court, setting up a high-stakes schedule for Thursday, August 27. Here is how the final four pairings were determined:
- Sofia Araujo and Ana Catarina Nogueira: The Portuguese duo secured their semi-final berth by defeating Italy’s Carlotta Casali and Giulia Dal Pozzo in straight sets, 6-3, 6-3. Araujo, currently ranked No. 8 in the FIP rankings, brings significant momentum to the tournament, having previously claimed titles at the 2024 Genoa P2 and 2025 Bordeaux P2.
- Jimena Velasco and Nuria Rodriguez: Representing Spain, this pair delivered a clinical performance to dismantle the French team of Steffi Merah and Charlotte Soubrie with a decisive 6-1, 6-1 victory. Rodriguez enters the semi-finals in peak form, having already enjoyed a successful season that included semi-final appearances at the Rome Major and the Valladolid P2.
- Giorgia Marchetti and Carolina Orsi: The Italian pair, who previously earned gold at the 2023 European Games in Krakow, advanced to the semi-finals after overcoming the French duo of Louise Bahurel and Lucile Pothier.
- Patty Llaguno and Lucia Sainz: The Spanish veterans, both of whom have held the world No. 1 ranking in their careers, punched their ticket to the semi-finals by defeating Tunisia’s Dora Chamli and Nour Allani.
The tournament now shifts to the semi-final round on Thursday, August 27, starting no earlier than 17:00 CEST on Centre Court. The first match will feature Giorgia Marchetti and Carolina Orsi against Patty Llaguno and Lucia Sainz, a clash expected to showcase elite-level play. This will be immediately followed by the second semi-final between Sofia Araujo and Ana Catarina Nogueira and Jimena Velasco and Nuria Rodriguez. The victors of these two matchups will advance to the gold medal final, scheduled for Friday, August 28.
