The first men's semi-final is underway, a matchup few would have predicted at the start of the week: the number 1 seeded pair Arturo Coello and Agustín Tapia against the tournament's surprise duo, Lucas Campagnolo and Javi Garrido. A clash not to be missed. live on Canal+, with very different stakes for each side.

Number ones in their code of conduct

Coello and Tapia are progressing in this Dubai P1 tournament as they've become accustomed to doing in 2025: quickly, strongly, and without dropping a single set. Their record speaks for itself: only 13 games lost and a very low average of 2.23 games played per set, proof of almost total mastery on the track.

With 10 titles this season (28 in total), they have only lost one semi-final in 2025, in Miami, and never against a pair ranked outside the top 3. They return to Dubai with a clear objective: defend their crown won in 2024.

Campagnolo / Garrido, the spoilers who had nothing to lose

Facing them, Campagnolo and Garrido wrote one of the tournament's most memorable stories. Ranked No. 13, they played their first semi-final on the circuit together. Premier Padel in 2025. Neither has yet won a title on this circuit, but the opportunity is immense: should they achieve a feat, they would become the lowest-ranked pair to reach a final this season, equalling the Bergamini/Ruiz performance at Milan 2022.

Javi Garrido is no stranger to big occasions – two finals in 2024 (Doha Major and Newgiza P2) – but never at this level. Lucas Campagnolo, on the other hand, is experiencing this stage of the competition for the first time and could be playing in his first final. Premier Padel.

Their career path is the opposite of that of the number 1s: 37 games concededtwo sets lost and an average of 5.32 games played per setBut their drive and confidence are real… and their aggressive style can cause problems.

Franck Binisti

Franck Binisti discovered padel at the Club des Pyramides in 2009 in the Paris region. Since then, padel has been part of his life. You often see him touring France to cover major French padel events.

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