Martina Fassio and Veronica Virseda have continued their dominant run on the international circuit, securing back-to-back titles with a victory at the FIP Silver R3 Bullpadel Cup in Stratford. This win follows their recent success at the FIP Gold Perugia, further cementing their status as a formidable force in the 2026 season.
Tournament Results and Highlights
The women's final saw Fassio and Virseda maintain complete control, defeating the Italian pair of Emily Stellato and Giulia Sussarello with a decisive 6-2, 6-0 scoreline. Their path to the trophy included a tough semi-final victory over Martina Vera and Ana Varo. This latest win adds to a highly successful year for Virseda, who has already claimed titles at the FIP Platinum events in both Albania and Paredes. Reflecting on the win, Fassio expressed her enthusiasm for their continued partnership, stating, "FIP Silver Stratford champions. Let’s keep it going as a team!"
In the men’s draw, Javi Barahona and Nacho Piotto took home the championship title after a hard-fought final against Álvaro Cepero and Andrés Fernández Lancha, finishing 7-6, 6-3. Their journey to the top of the podium involved the following key milestones:
- Semi-final victory: Barahona and Piotto successfully navigated a challenging match against Curro Cabeza and Paraguayan player Mariano González to earn their spot in the final.
- Finals performance: The duo demonstrated resilience in a tight first set before pulling away to secure the title in straight sets against Cepero and Fernández Lancha.
- Future focus: Following the win, the pair emphasized the importance of momentum. Barahona noted that there is little time for celebration as they immediately shift their focus to upcoming challenges. Piotto highlighted that this victory confirms they are on the "right path" and confirmed their immediate attention is now directed toward the upcoming tournaments in Milan.
This successful weekend in Great Britain highlights the intense competitive nature of the current CUPRA FIP Tour, with players quickly pivoting from one international event to the next as the season progresses.
