London P1: Paintings taken for the grand British christening of Premier Padel

The Pretoria P1 race had barely finished, Premier Padel The tournament has already set up shop in the UK for another major first. From August 4th to 9th, Olympia London will host the inaugural London P1, the final event before the summer break. The draw has been made and promises several top-level matches, with the favorites facing some tough challenges.

The United Kingdom, a new battleground for padel

Following South Africa last week, Premier Padel continues its expansion by establishing itself for the first time in the United Kingdom.

This choice is no accident. Padel is experiencing spectacular growth there, with nearly a million players, more than 1,800 courts and over 550 clubs according to the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA). London thus represents a strategic step in the international development of the circuit.

On a sporting level, 1 FIP points prizes will be distributed to the winners during the last tournament before the summer break.

Galán and Lebrón in the same half, Tapia and Coello under pressure

The men's draw did not spare the headliners.

The recent winners in Pretoria, Alejandro Galán and Federico Chingotto are found in the same half of the table as Juan Lebrón and Leo Augsburger The two pairs could therefore meet in the semi-finals… provided they overcome several obstacles.

The path ahead for Lebrón and Augsburger looks particularly demanding. They could face opponents as early as the round of 16. Tello / Arce before a possible quarter-final against Coki Nieto / Jon Sanz , if the latter first get rid of Pol Hernández / Guillermo Collado .

For their part, Galán and Chingotto will also have to be wary. Their path could cross that of Momo González / Lucas Campagnolo in the quarter-finals, before a possible clash against Lebrón and Augsburger in the semi-finals.

In the other half, Arturo Coello and Agustín Tapia They regain their number 1 seed position, but their journey is far from easy.

The world champions could meet again in the quarter-finals Javi Leal and Fran Guerrero , the Pretoria P1 sensation and the pair who ended their incredible run of finals last week.

This part of the table is also found Franco Stupaczuk and Mike Yanguas , returning after the Argentinian's withdrawal in South Africa, but also Paquito Navarro / Martin Di Nenno , Javi Garrido / Lucas Bergamini , Edu Alonso / Aimar Goñi or, Álex Arroyo / Íñigo Jofre This promises a fierce battle all the way to the semi-finals.

London P1: Paintings taken for the grand British christening of Premier Padel

The return of Ustero and a very open women's draw

For the women, the main news is the return of Andrea Ustero , absent from the last two tournaments due to injury. Associated with Ari Sánchez She makes her return directly into the top half of the world's number 1 rankings.

Gemma Triay and Delfi Brea could notably return Sofia Araújo and Marta Ortega in the quarter-finals, while another clash against Alejandra Salazar and Aranza Osoro remains a possibility later in the tournament.

In the lower part of the table, a Pretoria revenge could quickly take shape.

After their South African semi-final, Paula Josemaria and Bea Gonzalez could find Claudia Fernandez and Martina Calvo , impressive during their first tournament together. But before that, the two pairs will have to overcome formidable opponents, notably Tamara Icardo / Claudia Jensen for young Spanish women and Jessica Castelló / Marina Guinart ou Victoria Iglesias / Marina Lobo … finally, other pairs capable of creating a surprise.

A tournament that promises to be explosive

Between the potential reunion of Galán and Lebrón, the possible rematch between Coello/Tapia and Leal/Guerrero, the expected return of Andrea Ustero and the numerous clashes announced from the quarter-finals onwards, this first London P1 could very well conclude the first part of the season in style.

After a memorable week in Pretoria, Premier Padel followed by another historic event, this time in one of the world's most iconic sporting capitals.

Maceo ZERHAT

Maceo Zerhat discovered padel in 2020 in Savigny-sur-Clairis, Burgundy. He contributed to the club's expansion by bringing his energy and curiosity. Padel Magazinehe transmits his Padel"mania" by skillfully bouncing on all the latest news about your favorite sport!