The CUPRA FIP Tour made history in Cotonou, Benin, as the inaugural event in the country concluded with top-seeded pairs claiming victory in both the men’s and women’s draws. The tournament showcased high-level padel, culminating in a milestone achievement for 19-year-old Gustavo Nunes.
Tournament Results and Player Reactions
In the men’s final, the top-seeded duo of Portugal’s Gustavo Nunes and Spain’s Tonet Sans secured the title by defeating Morocco’s Mohamed Alami and Egypt’s Georges Wakim with a score of 7-6, 6-4. While Alami and Wakim put up a strong fight throughout the tournament, they were unable to overcome the favorites in the final match.
For Nunes, the victory represented a significant career breakthrough. After reaching a final earlier this year at the FIP Bronze in Baku, he finally secured his first-ever FIP circuit trophy. Following the match, the players expressed their satisfaction with the result:
- Gustavo Nunes: The 19-year-old expressed relief and joy, noting that while his year had been positive, a tournament victory was the missing piece of his season.
- Tonet Sans: Sans celebrated the achievement of a key seasonal goal and offered praise to his partner, highlighting the pleasure of supporting Nunes during his first title win.
The women’s draw saw a dominant performance from the Portuguese pair of Patricia Ribeiro and Mafalda Marques. They claimed the championship title by overcoming Dora Chamli and Nelita Brito in straight sets, finishing 6-4, 6-4. This victory marked a special moment for the winners, as Marques noted it was her second international title of the year alongside her friend and teammate, Ribeiro. She emphasized her pride in the team's collective effort and the strong bond between the two players.
