Spain has officially secured the gold medal in the women’s padel tournament at the XX Mediterranean Games, as two Spanish pairs have advanced to an all-national final. With both teams reaching the championship match without dropping a single set, the country is guaranteed the top spot on the podium in the sport's historic debut at the event.
The Path to the All-Spanish Final
The semi-final matches held at the Parco del Mediterraneo Salinella in Taranto showcased the dominance of the Spanish contingent. Here is how the two pairs secured their spots in the gold medal match:
- Llaguno and Sainz vs. Orsi and Marchetti: In the first semi-final, the experienced duo of Patty Llaguno and Lucia Sainz—both former world No. 1s—defeated the Italian pair of Carolina Orsi and Giorgia Marchetti with a score of 6-3, 6-4. The match was decided by the Spaniards' ability to capitalize on break points; they converted one in the first set at 3-2 and another in the second set at 3-3, while the Italian team failed to convert their own break opportunities.
- Rodriguez and Velasco vs. Araujo and Nogueira: The second semi-final saw Nuria Rodriguez and Jimena Velasco dominate the Portuguese pair of Sofia Araujo and Ana Catarina Nogueira, winning 6-2, 6-1. The Spaniards established control early by breaking serve in the opening game and securing a second break at 3-1. They maintained this momentum in the second set, securing four total breaks of serve to cruise to victory.
The atmosphere in Taranto has been a highlight for the athletes, with Llaguno and Sainz noting that the Mediterranean Games offer a unique energy that stands apart from other international competitions like the World Championships. For Lucia Sainz, this final marks another major milestone, following her appearance in the FIP Euro Padel Cup 2025 final where Spain triumphed over France.
Looking ahead to the final on August 28, the Spanish players expressed mutual respect and anticipation for the contest. Jimena Velasco emphasized the pride of representing their country in this inaugural event, while Nuria Rodriguez acknowledged that because the four finalists know each other’s games so well, the match will be a high-level, competitive battle for the gold.
Meanwhile, Sofia Araujo remains active in the competition despite her semi-final loss. On "Super Friday," she is scheduled to compete for the mixed doubles gold medal alongside her brother, Pedro, and will also face Orsi and Marchetti in the women’s bronze medal match.
