Galan faces his greatest challenge: accepting imperfection against Coello and Tapia

Despite another defeat in the final against Arturo Coello et Agustín Tapia during the' Italy Major Premier Padel , the pair Alejandro Galán / Federico Chingotto Galán came close to taking down the world number ones. Dominating for much of the first set, Galán seemed to have found the solutions to trouble the world ranking leaders before a few details gradually reversed the momentum of the match.

A look back at the moments that turned the tide of this final and the main challenge that now awaits them. Galan and Chingotto facing opponents who are always formidable when playing conditions favor their offensive power.

An almost perfect start to the final

For almost a set, Alejandro Galán gave the impression of having found the formula. Very precise in his choices, dominant at the net and particularly aggressive in transitions, the Spaniard seemed capable of disrupting the world number ones.

As is often the case, Federico Chingotto maintained the balance: defense, covering the field, varying the height of the ball. Galán, on the other hand, took the initiative.

Then came that first missed smash. Then another, and another, and doubt crept in from the end of the first set.

This reminds us of a certain double fault on serve against LeBron and Augsburger…

Galán's double fault turned the tide in his semi-final against Lebrón/Augsburger

When one detail changes the course of a match

Galán's demands on himself are immense.

After that first mistake, his body language gradually changed. Less expansive, more withdrawn, sometimes even inward-looking. On the bench, Chingotto tried to maintain the duo's energy, offering encouragement and engaging in lively exchanges.

But the impression left was different: Galán already seemed to be fighting against something other than his opponents.

This ability to remain emotionally connected after a mistake often makes the difference at the highest level.

The forgotten turning point: Coello also had doubts

The paradox of this final is that Coello was not untouchable.

At the start of the second set, his request for a video review after a Galán return revealed a rather unusual error in judgment. Galán and Chingotto then managed to break serve.

At that moment, the match could have truly turned around.

But in the very first games that followed, Galán missed another smash, immediately punished by Coello's defense. As if the momentum that had just shifted was ultimately quite shaky.

The tie-break that sums it all up

The second set ultimately ended in a tie-break, mirroring the overall pattern of the final.

Coello stretched to return a very difficult volley from Galán, he was backed against the glass, Galán made the right choice and decided to drop the ball. Tapia lunged to retrieve the ball but he was too far away and Coello could only watch the scene unfold. But in top-level sport there are no coincidences, Galán caught the net cord and the drop shot stayed on his side of the net.

Mini-break.

And probably the definitive loss of momentum. From Coello and Tapia

These few points perfectly illustrate the tiny gap that now separates the two best pairs in the world.

Galán's real challenge

The problem is neither technical nor tactical. Galán remains probably the most complete player on the tour. But against Coello and Tapia outdoors, he will have to learn to deal with a sometimes frustrating reality: in fast conditions, aerial play becomes a high-risk exercise, where the slightest short ball can be immediately punished with a rebound.

For his part, Chingotto has made considerable progress in the air. His smash has become more consistent and effective. But he will never be Arturo Coello in this area.

And perhaps this is where the main challenge for the world's number 2 duo lies: accepting to build more, to be patient, and not to systematically seek to compete with the number 1s on their preferred ground.

Because against Coello and Tapia, especially when conditions speed up the game, it's not enough to be brilliant. You also have to accept that, sometimes, perfection doesn't exist.

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.