3 logical victories and a mini-surprise

Few big sensations today during the Rotterdam women's quarter-finals. Apart from Sainz/Llaguno who upset the hierarchy by winning against Salazar/Castello, all the favourites are passed in two sets.

Outsiders Sainz/Llaguno prevail against Salazar/Castello!

Première sensation from the start of the day. Lucia Sainz and Patty Llaguno (TS6) manage to surprise Alejandra Salazar and Jessica Castello (TS5). From the first set, the outsider pair breaks away 2/0, then 3/1, taking advantage of the unprovoked errors of his opponents. More incisive (16 winning points against 13 in the first set) and above all more regular (11 unforced errors against 23 for Salazar/Castello), they conclude 6/4. The second chapter is more balanced, with breaks and counter-breaks granted on both sides. Taking full advantage of a track that promotes fast play, Sainz/Llaguno nevertheless managed to tighten up the game and won 6/3 in the second set. Here they are in the last four for the 5th time this season, they who, last week in Madrid, had lost in the first round!

Sanchez Josemaria | Padel Magazine — Copyright Premier Padel

Sanchez/Josemaria easy against Virseda/Osoro

Conversely, there will be no no surprises in the confrontation between the world-leading women's pair and the 7th seed. In the first set, Ariana Sanchez and Paola Josemaria are in control and break at 1 game all. Facing them, Veronica Virseda and "Zazu" Osoro struggle to set up their game, committing a few unprovoked errors (12 in total). These cost them a double break and the set: 6/2 in less than half an hour. With a ratio of 15 winning shots against 7 for their opponents, The Spanish were not worrieds, which is confirmed by the second set. Quite similar to the first, this one ended with a solid 6/1 consecutive to 3 breaks – or 5 in total, against no ball of " break » in Virseda/Osoro. Sanchez/Josemaria are in the semi-finals without having lost a single set.

Araujo-Ortega | Padel Magazine — Copyright Premier Padel

Ortega/Araujo in control against Guinart/Iglesias

No surprises either on the side of the Ortega/Araujo pair, seeded 4th in the tournament. 60% of points won over the entire game, 4 break points converted out of 5: these statistics alone serve to demonstrate the domination imposed by Martita Ortega and Sofia Araujo against Victoria Iglesias and Marina Guinart. The 4th seed of this P1 in Rotterdam won in two controlled sets, 6/3 6/1, and took the Congratulations supported by the coach, Seba Nerone.

Triay-Fernandez | Padel Magazine — Copyright Premier Padel

Triay/Fernandez: stubborn against Sharifova/Martinez

In the last quarter-final of the day, the queens of Madrid, Gemma Triay and Claudia Fernandez, faced Ksenia Sharifova and Lucia Martinez. After a balanced start to the set (3/3), the tournament's number 2 seed achieves the break in the seventh game and flies towards the win of the first set (6/3). More incisive (19 winning shots and 9 smashes against 13 "winners" and 4 smashes for Sharifova/Martinez), she imposes herself by having converted her only break point. Beautiful obstinacy ! Especially since this same scenario will repeat itself during the second round. Here again, Gemma Triay and Claudia Fernandez achieve the break in the middle of the round and impose themselves without trembling. Final score: 6/3 6/3 in 1h10.

This Saturday, the semi-finals will pit Sanchez/Josemaria to Sainz/Llaguno et Ortega/Araujo to Triay/Fernandez.

Frederic Theulé

Not a day goes by without a line… of padel court! For a few years now, Frédéric has decided to devote himself to his lifelong passion: the little yellow ball and its merciless world. Addict, did you say addict?