Maxi Arce confirms he can look the best in the eye

In the quarterfinals of the P2 tournament in Asunción, Juan Tello and Maxi Arce came incredibly close to a major upset against Alejandro Galán and Federico Chingotto. Defeated 4-6, 7-6, 7-6 after more than two hours of battle, the Argentinian pair had the world number twos on the ropes until the very last points.

But beyond the result, it is above all Maxi Arce's performance that will be remembered.

A right diagonal of insane intensity

Facing Federico Chingotto, an absolute benchmark in terms of work rate and consistency, the Argentinian left-hander delivered one of the most accomplished matches of his young career on Premier Padel.

Arce didn't just resist: he imposed his sequences.

Its bajadaHis crosses towards the net regularly unbalanced the opposing defense, while his quick transitions applied constant pressure. The tactical and physical battle between the two players was fierce from the first point to the last.

Even Chingotto, despite being reputed to be inexhaustible, ended some exchanges on his knees after extremely intense rallies.

The first set, won 6-4 by Tello and Arce, was therefore no fluke. The Argentinian pair genuinely managed to outmaneuver Galán and Chingotto, thanks in particular to the variety of shots brought by Arce.

A match decided by details

The match then shifted to details, as often happens at this level.

Galán and Chingotto raised their intensity in key moments to snatch the tie-break in the second set, before a breathtaking third set that also ended in a tie-break.

In this final tiebreak, Maxi Arce's lack of experience under this level of pressure was likely evident. The Argentinian committed three significant unforced errors that ultimately gave the Spanish-Argentine pair the opening.

But it's difficult to focus solely on that, as his overall level was impressive throughout the entire match.

Progress that is confirmed

This quarter-final appearance didn't come out of nowhere. For several months, Maxi Arce has been gradually proving that he can compete with the best players on the circuit.

Currently ranked 45th in the world, the Argentinian left-hander is showing consistent progress in both his game and his handling of big occasions.

He had already attracted the attention of the general public during the Malaga 2025 P1 tournament, when Franco Stupaczuk finally called upon him after Juan Lebrón withdrew. This impromptu partnership surprised many observers, as Arce displayed considerable personality and maturity on the pitch.

LeBron forfeits, Franco Stupaczuk with Maximiliano Arce at P1 Malaga!

A player capable of outsmarting the best

What is most striking about Maxi Arce is his ability to break the usual patterns in the right diagonal.

While many players struggle against the top teams on the circuit, he constantly seeks to vary his game: rhythm, ball height, short shots, topspin, or tactical drop shots. This technical richness is starting to pose real problems for the best pairs in the world.

In Asunción, he mainly showed that he could thrill the crowd in a truly great match. Premier Padel.

And despite the frustration of this defeat at the end of the suspense, one impression clearly emerges: Maxi Arce is probably changing dimensions.

Antoine Tricolet

I discovered the Padel I stumbled into Spain at a campsite. I was instantly hooked; passionate about padel for the past three years, I follow international and regional news with the same excitement as the sport itself.