The  Italy Major Premier Padel 2026  started this Tuesday at  Foro Italico in Rome  The first day was marked by several surprising scenarios, much-applauded Italian victories, and the first lessons learned before the arrival of the world's best pairs. Among the good news for Italy was the qualification of  Flavio Abbate and Álvaro Montiel  electrified the Roman public, giving the tournament its first great moment of emotion.

Abbate and Montiel turn the tables in front of a packed Nicola Pietrangeli stadium.

It's about the mythical  Nicola Pietrangeli short  that the day had reached its climax. Trailing after the first round against the qualifiers  Emilio Sánchez and Alberto Garcia , the Italians  Flavio Abbate and Álvaro Montiel  found the resources to reverse the trend and win in three sets:  3/6 6/4 7/5 .

Boosted by a supportive crowd, the two local players secured a last-minute qualification for the second round. Their reward will be commensurate with their achievement: a duel against the world number ones.  Arturo Coello  et  Agustín Tapia who will make their entry into the competition on Wednesday.

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Giulia Dal Pozzo continues her journey in front of her home crowd.

The day also smiled on another Italian representative. Partnered with the Spanish player  Nuria Rodríguez ,  Giulia Dal Pozzo  negotiated his entry into the competition perfectly by dominating  Bellver and Merino  in two dry sets:  6 / 2 6 / 2 .

The level of expectation will rise a notch in the next round, however, as the pair will face the number 7 seeds.  Ale Alonso and Ale Salazar .

The successful return of Carmen Castillón

Among the heartwarming stories of this first day is also that of  Carmen Castillon Away from competitions Premier Padel For more than a year, the Spaniard has continued a particularly encouraging comeback.

Italy Major – A year after her pulmonary infarctions, Carmen Castillón is smiling again in Rome

After successfully passing the qualifiers, she secured her place in the second round alongside  Maria Portillo  thanks to a solid victory against  Carla Toully  et  López Moral  :  6 / 4 7 / 6 .

This performance confirms that the Spaniard is gradually finding her feet again at the highest level.

Gala and Jensen are riding the wave of their momentum

At men's,  david gala  et  Enzo jensen  continued their impressive run of form. A few days after their final at the  FIP Platinum Albania The Spanish have once again demonstrated their ability to react in difficult moments.

David Gala and Enzo Jensen: the new generation no longer wants to wait

Down a set by  Juani Rubini and Maxi Sánchez They ultimately turned the game around to win.  2/6 6/3 6/4  and continue their Roman adventure. We'll also see the young Rubini face off against the former world number one in Narbonne in two weeks for the FIP Silver.

FIP Silver Narbonne 2026: Maxi Sánchez / Juani Rubini already announced, a lineup that promises to be very strong

Coello, Tapia, Galán and Chingotto enter the arena

While this first day has already provided its share of suspense, the tournament will change dimension from Wednesday onwards with the entry of all the main male seeds.

The reigning champions  Alejandro Galán  et  Federico Chingotto  will begin their title defense against  Tino Libaak  et  Alex Chozas , in one of the most anticipated matches of this second day.

Attention will also be focused on the debuts of  Coello / Tapia , opposed to Abbate and Montiel, but also towards the first appearances of  Juan Lebrón / Leo Augsburger ,  Franco Stupaczuk / Mike Yanguas  et  Martín Di Nenno / Paquito Navarro .

Even before the arrival of the favorites, the  Italy Major 2026  has already delivered some great scenarios. Between the rise of Abbate and Montiel , the triumphant return of  Carmen Castillon  and with several pairs confirming their good form, this first day has ideally launched the Roman week.

All the ingredients now seem to be in place for a tournament that could quickly ramp up in intensity at the Foro Italico.

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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