Santiago P1 – Tello and Libaak shake Stupaczuk and Lebrón but lose in three sets

Juan Lebrón and Franco Stupaczuk have qualified for their third consecutive final on the circuit Premier Padel, but it was complicated. Facing a pair Tello / Libaak In great shape, the number 3 seed had to work hard to win 3/6 6/3 6/1 in a semi-final that changed face as the sets went by.

Tello on fire, Libaak precise: a perfect first set

In fast conditions which favor big smashes and explosive transitions, Juan Tello demonstrated once again that he was back at his best. Impeccable on the smash, omnipresent on the court, he smothered the diagonal of Stupaczuk, well helped by a Tino Libaak very sharp at the start of the match.

The strategy was clear: put pressure on Lebrón and Stupaczuk from the restart, push them back and seize the slightest opportunities. 4-3, they found the flaw and broke in a set where it was nevertheless very difficult to take the serve. They concluded with authority: 6/3.

The reaction of Lebrón / Stupa

In the second set, the favorites changed faces. Stupaczuk stepped up his defense, Lebrón imposes his rhythm, and especially, They completely stop Tello thanks to a strategy more focused on Libaak, who begins to rush, especially on the smash.

Despite 9 break points unconverted until 3/2, they end up breaking the lock. Once the break in the pocket, they roll out the service to equalize at one set each (6/3).

A one-sided third set

In the deciding set, the trend is confirmed. Pozzoni, the coach of Lebrón and Stupaczuk, slips them on the bench: “Now that the temperature is dropping, we can play padel.” A truth. The ball comes out less, the game slows down slightly, which no longer suits Tello, and even less to a Libaak physically diminished, which even requires a visit from the physiotherapist.

Lebrón and Stupa took advantage of this drop in the opponent's performance to take off and conclude without trembling: 6/1.

A third consecutive final for Lebrón and Stupaczuck

With this victory, Lebrón and Stupaczuk remain undefeated in the semifinals this seasonThey confirm their regularity at the highest level: only the pairs Coello / Tapia et Galan / Chingotto beat them in 2025.

Figures:

Lebrón has never lost to Libaak
Stupa and Lebrón played in all the finals of the season (except Gijón where they were not involved)

Tello and Libaak can go out with their heads held high

Despite the defeat, Tello delivered a real recital, dominating the exchanges and displaying an aggressiveness which made the number 3 pair waver. As for Libaak, he can be satisfied with having reached a semi-final in Premier Padel, even though he suffered physically in the last act.

Their journey in Chile is promising, with a real complicity displayed on the track.

Benjamin Dupouy

I discovered padel directly during a tournament, and frankly, I didn't really like it at first. But the second time, it was love at first sight, and since then, I haven't missed a single match. I'm even ready to stay up until 3am to watch a final of Premier Padel !