Following a successful run at the Mediterranean Games, Italian padel star Simone Iacovino is set to compete at the FIP Bronze Sassuolo tournament. Alongside his partner Giulio Graziotti, Iacovino is looking to secure his first title of the year on home soil after several near-misses on the CUPRA FIP Tour circuit.
Tournament Outlook and Key Contenders
Iacovino enters the Sassuolo event with significant momentum and familiarity with the venue, having reached the final of the 2025 edition. The duo has been consistently competitive throughout the season, finishing as finalists at both the FIP Bronze Frascati and the FIP Bronze Bratislava. To claim the trophy this weekend, they will need to navigate a field of high-caliber international talent. The main draw for the tournament is scheduled to run from Friday, September 4, through Sunday, September 6, with the semi-finals and finals taking place on the final day.
The competition features several notable pairings across both the men's and women's draws:
- Thijs Roper and Willy Slaryd: Entering as the No. 1 seeds, this pair arrives in Italy with confidence after securing a championship victory at the FIP Bronze Mol in Belgium last month.
- Marcos Cordoba and Alejandro Calvo: A strong team to watch, they are considered among the leading contenders for the title.
- Miguel Morales and Mohamed Alami: Another high-level pair expected to challenge for the top spots in the men's bracket.
- Joel Olivera Palos and Matteo Platania: Rounding out the primary list of threats, this duo is positioned as one of the teams to beat.
- Lucia Perez and Clarinha Santos: Leading the women's draw, these joint champions from FIP Bronze Dronten bring an impressive resume; Santos also claimed a title in Dakar, while Perez has tasted victory in Dubai and Singapore this year.
- Janine Hemmes and Bo Luttikhuis: The No. 2 seeds in the women's category, this Dutch pair will be looking to disrupt the top-seeded favorites.
- Alba Vazquez and Catarina Santos: A competitive pair added to the entry list that adds depth to the women's field.
- Jimena Diaz and Ana Cristina Sanchez: Another duo participating in the tournament, contributing to a highly anticipated weekend of padel action in Sassuolo.
