Ten breaks conceded in total, 96 points played and 18 years apart: this is the numerical summary of the first match played this Thursday on the central track of the WPT in Toulouse.

On one side, the world n°1 Ariana Sanchez and Paula Josemaria, on the other, the very young Spaniards Andrea Ustero (16 years) and Alejandra Alonso (17 years). The latter, ranked 107e and 46e world championships, could legitimately expect to be subjected to the law of the queens of the circuit, more dominating than ever this season.

The experience of the two best players in the world, aged 25 and 26, obviously allowed them to dominate the debates against young shooters who are starting their professional careers. And yet, during a set, the natives of Barcelona and Valladolid bravely played their luck: with a certain insolence, they twice delighted the opposing service, each time on punto de oro. Not hesitating to hit at full power, which we rarely see among ladies, they sometimes surprised their opponents.

But Ari and Paula responded by breaking four times, including two on decisive point. That was enough to complete the first set in 43 minutes and a score of 6/3.

The second round was more cruel for the outsiders: if they once again managed to take the opposing service, the young players of 33 years in total were crucified on their own face-offs. Indeed, they did not have won just one of their engagements this set, lost 6/1 in 25 minutes.

While they had won 45% of the points in the first round, Andrea and Alejandra saw their ratio drop to 29% in the second. A cruel score but which does not detract from the potential of these two young players, hailed by their opponents as "the next generation" of the padel female.

After 40 years of tennis, Jérôme falls into the pot of padel in 2018. Since then, he thinks about it every morning while shaving… but never shaves pala in hand! Journalist in Alsace, he has no other ambition than to share his passion with you, whether you speak French, Italian, Spanish or English.

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