Italian padel stars Simone Iacovino and Giulio Graziotti have secured their first international title as a pair, clinching victory at the FIP Bronze Sassuolo tournament. This win marks a significant career milestone for the duo, following Iacovino’s recent success at the Mediterranean Games.
A Hard-Fought Victory in Sassuolo
The tournament final saw the number 2 seeds, Iacovino and Graziotti, face off against the top-seeded duo of Thijs Roper (Netherlands) and Willy Släryd (Sweden). The match was a high-stakes affair that showcased the resilience of the Italian team. The key moments of the final included:
- The Opening Tie-break: The first set was an incredibly tight contest that was ultimately decided by a marathon tie-break, which the Italian pair managed to edge out 14-12.
- The Second Set Surge: Building on their momentum, Iacovino and Graziotti established a commanding 4-1 lead early in the second set.
- Closing the Match: Despite a late comeback attempt from Roper and Släryd and two missed match points at 5-4, the Italians maintained their composure to secure the set 7-5 and claim the championship.
Reflecting on the win, Giulio Graziotti emphasized the importance of team chemistry, noting that their victory was the result of perseverance through past losses and a shared commitment to hard work. Iacovino echoed these sentiments, expressing his gratitude to his supporters for helping him achieve his first international title on the CUPRA FIP Tour.
The women’s draw also concluded with a high-level final, as Marisol Fernandez and Cristina Carrascosa defeated the Dutch pair Bo Luttikhuis and Janine Hemmes. The match went to three sets, ending 7-6, 4-6, 6-1 in favor of Fernandez and Carrascosa. This victory adds to an impressive run for Fernandez, who has now secured three titles in just over two months, including gold at the FISU World University Championship Padel and a previous title in Egypt. For Carrascosa, the win in Sassuolo serves as her second title of the season, following her success in Hong Kong earlier this March.
