What an anthology game! It took almost three hours of fierce combat to designate the winners of the Premier Padel P1 Mendoza. And in the end, despite sublime resistance from Belasteguin and Coello, carried by more than 11 Argentinian spectators, it was Franco Stupaczuk and Pablo Lima who won, after a breathtaking tie-break.
The Argentinian-Brazilian pair had started this final in a dominating way. Perhaps made feverish by the challenge, Bela and Coello are under pressure, the Argentinian committing unusual errors in backhand volley.
"El Boss" is clearly harassed by Stupa and Lima, whose strategy is clear: direct the game on Bela and physically explode him. The former world No. 1 for 16 years tired but did not give in. For his part, Coello tried to take up more space on the track, but made a few mistakes.
Opposite, Stupa and Lima are relentless, do not make mistakes and do not release the pressure. They make the first break at 3e game, on the serve of the 21-year-old Spaniard. This one however has the opportunity to conclude the game at 40/30, but meets the net on a seemingly easy volley. Stupa/Lima started this final much better than that of the HPO of Toulouse, on June 19th.
They then have the opportunity to break Belatesguin, who still holds his serve after being down 0/40. But Coello again gives up his commitment to 7e game, allowing Stupa / Lima to win the first set 6/2.
The second set starts on more balanced bases. Bela switches to warrior mode, making fewer mistakes after adjusting his tactical scheme. He suffered less in his diagonal against Stupaczuk, even if the famous “rulo” of the latter to the grid continued to do damage.
The two teams arrive at 4/4, without it being possible to guess which will make the hole. On Bela's serve, the pair are strained, saving at least one break point. But the 43-year-old Argentinian and his young teammate hold the shock. The Valladolid giant imposes its exceptional ground cover and allows his team to lead 5/4.
It is then Stupa which serves to try to return to 5/5. Opposite, Bela / Coello seems determined to try his luck, without losing patience on a slow track, which does not favor hitters. Bela is everywhere in defense, he erased the errors of the beginning of the match and manages to grab the points. At 30/40, the first break point is the right one, as the room ignites.
With the start 3e set , the match enters another dimension. Anything can happen in front of a crowd that only wants one thing: the Argentinian legend's first success in a circuit tournament Premier Padel.
But the Brazilian and the other Argentinian don't see it that way: it's Lima and Stupa who make the first break of the set, on Coello's serve. This match is also one of all records in terms of number of break points: 33 in total – 17 for Stupa and Lima against 16 for Bela and Coello!!!
But the latter do not admit defeat so far, trying to pick up the score tirelessly. Their efforts end up paying off as they trail 3/4 and 0-30 on Lima's service. Thanks to an overpowered Coello, they chained four masterful points in a row and equalized at 4/4.
But in the next game, it's Belasteguin who yields his stake. Everything has to be done again. Stupa, who serves for the match and the trophy, fails to contain the opposing rage. On a smash from Lima, Coello made a blocked and winning backhand volley to get a break point. And it's on the second that the same Coello makes a par 4 on a Stupa smash not high enough. 5/5.
The next game is won white by Bela/Coello, who seems closer to happiness than ever. But the Brazilian and the Argentinian do not give up and give themselves the opportunity to play an anthology tie-break, while the match has lasted for more than 2:30.
The first mini-break is in favor of Lima and Stupa, who break away to lead 3/2, after a forehand volley missed by Belasteguin. But Coello sets the record straight, taking off from the ground at the next point to send a Stupa "returna" to the antipodes (whose request for video review fails).
Bela-Coello wins the next two points, leading 5/4. They are two points away from happiness. The next point is endless and ends when a chiquita from Bela fails in the net. Stupa continues with a winning smash which gives the first match point to his team.
But she is selflessly saved by Bela/Coello. 6/6, the suspense is suffocating and the atmosphere charged.
The next point is snatched by Coello on a furious smash: match point for the public favorites! After a long round of observation, Franco Stupaczuk unleashes a wonderful topspin smash from his service line. Belasteguin can only see the damage helplessly.
In confidence, Stupa/Lima obtain their 2e match point on another incredible smash from the same Franco, in a trance! This again is saved from a nice backhand volley from Coello.
But at 8/8, Bela forces on his forehand volley, which goes straight into the side window. And this time, it's a smash from Lima to the grid that deceives Coello and seals the fate of this legendary match.
Pablo Lima and Franco Stupaczuk exult after three hours of combat and shatter the dream of Belasteguin and Coello, however heroic! Final score: 6/2 4/6 7/6 (10/8).