Since they got back together,  Paquito Navarro and Martin Di Nenno  have regained a regular place in the semi-finals. Bordeaux, Málaga then London: each time, however, their journey ended against  Arturo Coello and Agustín Tapia Three encounters, three defeats in two sets and the same conclusion: their quality of construction allows them to take down a large part of the circuit, but it is not yet enough to permanently challenge the world's number 1.

Three semi-finals, one ceiling

The scores tell a remarkably consistent story:  6/3 6/2 in Bordeaux, 6/4 6/3 in Málaga, then 6/3 6/2 in London In six sets, Paquito Navarro and Martín Di Nenno never won more than four games in a set. In total, they scored  17 games versus 36  for Coello and Tapia, without managing to contest a single tie-break.

Their consistency is all the more striking given their overall positive momentum. After reaching the quarterfinals in their first three tournaments since joining forces, they took a significant step forward in Bordeaux. Since then, they have reached  three semi-finals in four stages only their elimination in the round of 16 in Pretoria interrupted this streak.

Paquito and Di Nenno don't stumble against everyone. But when they reach the semi-finals, they've so far always run into the same opponents.

A playing base that punishes almost the entire circuit

To measure the value of their association, one only needs to look at the opponents eliminated before these semi-finals.

In Bordeaux, they dominated  Juan Lebrón and Leo Augsburger 6/3 7/5 In Málaga, they dismissed  Franco Stupaczuk and Mike Yanguas 7/5 6/3 In London, they resisted the power of Aimar Goñi  and to the quality of Eduardo Alonso  at the end of a three-set quarter-final, won  7/5 6/7 6/3 .

Three opposing teams, three different profiles, and the same ability to outmaneuver the opponent.

Their formula is based on a well-known complementarity. On the right, Di Nenno brings volume, defense, and an immense ability to keep the rally going. On the left, Paquito varies his trajectories more, uses the chiquita (a short, sharp pass), changes the pace, and looks to create space before finishing.

The duo rarely gives their opponents easy matches: they force them to play an extra ball, then another, while maintaining real control of the zones.

Against most pairs, this density eventually forces errors or opens up attackable balls. Against Coello and Tapia, it seems especially  delay the moment when the number 1s regain control .

Against the number 1s, you often have to win the point several times.

Perhaps that's where the essential difference lies.

Paquito and Di Nenno often build their points in sequences: defending, regaining height, taking back the net, moving the opposing block, then finally getting a favorable ball.

The problem is that Coello and Tapia tolerate this succession of actions better than anyone. A first volley isn't always enough. A good bajada No, not at all. Even a smash that would be decisive against many other pairs can come back and completely restart the rally.

Number 1 players, on the other hand, have a capacity greater than  shorten the point A slightly short ball can allow Coello to immediately impose his power. Tapia can create acceleration or an angle from a position that previously seemed neutral.

They do not systematically need to establish a long favorable sequence: they can trigger it in one or two moves.

In this type of confrontation, the gap doesn't just come from the average quality of play. It also comes from the  number of efforts required to earn each point .

The lack of "free points," a recurring hypothesis

Talking about "free points" obviously doesn't mean that Paquito Navarro is incapable of finishing. The Spaniard remains an attacking player, capable of covering a lot of ground and finishing with a shot over the head.

But the pair does not currently generate the same permanent threat as some partnerships built around a very big hitter.

When the lob isn't perfect, Coello can punish. When the rally drags on, Tapia can speed things up. On the other side, Paquito and Di Nenno need to do more often  create the finishing ball before you can exploit it .

This difference sometimes forces Paquito to do more: take more risks, force an acceleration, or seek a finish from a less favorable position. Di Nenno can then also find himself pushed out of his natural range, forced to accelerate when his primary strength lies precisely in maintaining continuity in the game.

In London, the scenario perfectly illustrated this difficulty. Paquito and Di Nenno secured the first break and took control of the match. However, Coello and Tapia's reaction was immediate: the number ones gradually increased the pressure, imposed their rhythm, and closed out the match in  class .

An opening had existed. But it closed very quickly.

A definitive limit? No, but a very specific problem.

Three defeats are not enough to condemn a project. However, they do allow a trend to emerge.

Paquito and Di Nenno have already proven that their partnership can establish them among the best pairs of the moment. Their combined experience, their reading of the game, and their ability to overcome difficult matches provide a strong enough foundation to regularly reach the quarterfinals and semifinals.

However, the top floor requires something else.

To worry Coello and Tapia, they must manage to  increase their aggressiveness without losing the stability that is their strength  : regain the net faster, get more out of first favorable balls and prevent the number 1s from establishing their aerial dominance.

The entire paradox of this pair lies there.

This allowed him to reach the semi-finals —  patience, construction, control, and the ability to make one more ball play  — does not yet seem sufficient to take the final step.

Paquito Navarro and Martín Di Nenno may not need to change their identities. But against Coello and Tapia, they still need to find a way to  earn more points without having to build them for as long .

Antoine Tricolet

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

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