Finland Premier Padel P2 recently concluded, providing a first opportunity to evaluate the performance of the new pairs participating in this tournament for the first time. Five new teams were impatiently awaited : Di Nenno/Lebron, Yanguas/Stupaczuk, Cardona/Navarro, Garrido/Ruiz, and Gonzalez/Alonso. Here is a review of their performance.

Expectations for the quarterfinals

Based on the rankings and predictions, the quarter-finals could have seen the following pairs face off (seeded in parentheses):

  • Di Nenno/Lebron (1) vs. Garrido/Ruiz (5)
  • Gonzalez/Alonso (7) against Tello/Belasteguin (4)
  • Cardona/Navarro (3) vs. Arroyo/Gutierrez (8)
  • Nieto/Sanz (6) vs. Yanguas/Stupaczuk (2)

Surprises and confirmations

However, the course of the tournament held some surprises. First of all, Garrido/Ruiz was eliminated in the round of 16 by the Libaak/Chozas pair, thus preventing the expected quarter-final against Di Nenno/Lebron. This premature elimination is certainly a disappointment, Garrido/Ruiz being expected at least in the quarters, or even the semi-finals on a good day.

For their part, Gonzalez/Alonso had a solid run until the semi-final, where the pair were stopped by Di Nenno/Lebron after a hard-fought match. Although they failed to reach the final, their performance remained positive, while the premature exit of the Tello/Belasteguin pair in the first round did not make them meet in the quarter-final.

The expected quarter-final between Cardona/Navarro and Arroyo/Gutierrez took place, both pairs having respected their status until this stage of the tournament. Likewise, the match between Nieto/Sanz and Yanguas/Stupaczuk lived up to its promise, although Yanguas/Stupaczuk was eliminated at this point, which was a semi-surprise. However, Nieto/Sanz, by then beating Cardona/Navarro in the semi-final, proved that they were in great form and deserved their place in the final.

The final results

Nieto Sanz Lebron Di Nenno Finland P2
Credit Premier Padel

The final finally saw Di Nenno/Lebron and Nieto/Sanz face off, with a logical victory for the Di Nenno/Lebron pair, thus respecting their status as favorites.

Here are the results of the new pairs:

  •  Di Nenno/Lebron  : victory
  •  Cardona/Navarro  : semi final
  •  Yanguas/Stupaczuk  : quarterfinal
  •  Garrido/Ruiz  : eighth finals
  •  Gonzalez/Alonso  : semi final

Performance analysis

Of the four pairs that reached the semi-finals, three were new associations, an encouraging sign for the future of these teams. Nieto/Sanz, who eliminated two of these new pairs, clearly outperformed after a mixed start to the season, which suggests a rise in power.

On the other hand, the performance of Yanguas/Stupaczuk, although honorable with a place in the quarter-finals, can be seen as a slight disappointment, especially considering the level of the players. As for Garrido/Ruiz, their elimination in the round of 16 clearly fell short of expectations, as they were expected to go further in the competition.

This tournament will therefore have revealed the strengths present among the new pairs, while highlighting the high level of competition on the international circuit. The next steps will make it possible to see whether or not these teams confirm the promises made in Finland.

Matthias Héjja-Brichard

Padel fan, I offer you my expertise and my passion. See you soon on the slopes!

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