The FIP Gold Mediolanum Padel Cup in Perugia, Italy, kicked off with high-stakes action as top-ranked men’s pairs made their tournament debuts. While the men’s draw is already well underway, the women’s competition is set to take center stage starting this Friday.
Men’s Tournament Highlights and Results
The opening rounds saw several high-profile partnerships test their chemistry on the court. Here is a breakdown of the key performances from the men's draw:
- Bergamini and Bautista: As the number 1 seeds, Lucas Bergamini and Jairo Bautista successfully launched their new partnership by defeating Lorenzo Di Giovanni and Giuseppe Fino with a score of 6-3, 6-4.
- Garrido and De Pascual: In the most anticipated match of the day, the number 6 seeds Javi Garrido and Juani De Pascual dominated Lucho Capra and Maxi Sanchez, securing a 6-3, 6-1 victory in their first tournament playing together.
- Esbri and Jofre: The number 3 seeds cruised into the round of 16 with a clinical 6-2, 6-2 win over qualifiers Quatrana and Greco. They are scheduled to face Curro Cabeza and Santino Contreras in the next round.
- Gutierrez and Chozas: The number 5 seeds and world champions faced a tough challenge against French qualifiers Sami Iznasni and Raphael Rubio. They eventually advanced in three sets, winning 3-6, 7-6, 6-2, and will move on to play Cepero and Sager.
- Other Notable Advancements: The second-seeded pair of Alex Ruiz and Javi Garcia successfully moved forward in the bracket, joined by the duo of Javi Barahona and Maxi Sanchez Blasco.
Women’s Draw Preview
The action shifts to the women’s draw on Friday at 12:00 local time. The tournament features several Italian favorites who recently earned medals at the World Championships, European Championships, and Mediterranean Games. Key matchups to watch include:
- Orsi and Llaguno: Home favorite Carolina Orsi teams up with Patty Llaguno to face Giuditta Beltrami and Michela Zaccagnini.
- Dal Pozzo and Rodriguez: Giulia Dal Pozzo partners with Nuria Rodriguez to take on Francesca Scrinzi and Vittoria Giraldi.
- Casali and Guerra: Carlotta Casali and Nerea Guerra are set to compete against the pair of Deborah Cruciani and Micaela Moroni.
- Virseda and Fassio: The top-seeded duo of Veronica Virseda and Martina Fassio will open their campaign against the Italian pair of Livioni and Coppola.
- Velasco and Eugenio: Coming off a victory at the FIP Gold in São Paulo, Jimena Velasco and Raquel Eugenio begin their quest for a second consecutive title against Di Battista and Corrales.
