For nearly two and a half sets, there were no world number twos on the central court in Valencia. There were simply four padel players engaged in a battle where two fearless youngsters kept Alejandro Galán and Federico Chingotto on their toes for a long time.

In the end, the favorites prevailed in three sets, but the score only tells part of the story. Mariano González and Curro Cabeza delivered one of the most remarkable performances of the tournament so far.

The Paraguayan player delivered a particularly remarkable performance with his smash. Taking numerous risks in situations where many would have opted for the safe route, he consistently hit the mark. Each point won seemed to boost his confidence and that of his partner.

A pair unafraid to face the favorites

From the very first exchanges, González and Cabeza displayed a rare attitude towards such an opponent: no restraint, no calculation, no fear.

The two young players entered the court with the carefree attitude of those who have nothing to lose and the conviction that they belonged at this level. For long stretches, there was no apparent hierarchy between the two teams. The world number twos were simply two padel players facing an opponent capable of challenging them.

Chingalán forced to draw on their resources

On the other side, Galán and Chingotto had to work hard. Far from their usual dominance, they were forced to remain constantly mobilized.
Galán appeared more nervous than usual, committing several uncharacteristic errors, while Chingotto was forced to push his vibora harder. A key factor was the constant presence of a particularly aggressive Curro Cabeza at the net, often positioned very high to intercept shots and disrupt the usual patterns of the world number two.

The encouragement between the two men intensified, a sign that the danger was real. They never lowered their heads or showed the slightest sign of resignation, but they had to demonstrate great mental fortitude to stay in the game.

A few details that turned the tide of the match

The turning point finally came in the middle of the third set.

After maintaining an exceptional level for more than two sets, Curro Cabeza was the first to experience a slight dip in intensity. One or two smashes that fell short gave Galán opportunities. In quick succession, Mariano González conceded several lobs that were a bit too long.

When faced with a pair of this caliber, these details are unforgivable.

Chingalán then regained the momentum. Their experience made the difference in key moments, turning a few hesitations from their opponents into decisive breaks.

A match that could mark a turning point

Beyond the qualification of the favorites, this match may well be remembered as one of the foundational matches for the young González/Cabeza pair.

For almost two hours, they demonstrated that they already possessed the technical skills, but also the personality, to compete with the best teams on the circuit. They played freely, without inhibition, and without ever abandoning their playing identity.

And even if Galán and Chingotto continue their journey in Valencia, they now know that they came very close to a huge disappointment.

Antoine Tricolet

I discovered the Padel I stumbled into Spain at a campsite. I was instantly hooked; passionate about padel for the past three years, I follow international and regional news with the same excitement as the sport itself.

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