It's one of the biggest shocks of the 2025 season. Juanlu Esbrí and José Antonio Diestro eliminated world number 1s Arturo Coello and Agustín Tapia in the quarter-finals of the P2 in Asunción. A feat that is not an accident: the Spanish have mastered their subject, while their opponents displayed an unrecognizable face.

HUGE SURPRISE: Esbri and Diestro offer Tapia/Coello to Asunción

A perfectly executed game plan

From the first exchanges, we felt that Esbrí and Diestro were not there to play the victim. While most pairs crack under pressure against Tapia and Coello, they have imposed their rhythm, their game, and their confidence. It is no exaggeration to say that they played as if they knew they were going to win.

José Diestro delivered a recital in the diagonal facing Coello. His sharp vibrator, Its by 3 millimeters, did a lot of harm to the Valladolid player. Opposite, Juanlu Esbrí was not left out. He disturbed Tapia with tight, deep lobs, and showed himself very solid at the net, especially in block. The Spanish pair perfectly controlled the space, blocking opposing attacks and returning pressure. Both players simply played the perfect match.

Impressive mental strength

More beyond the technical level, that is sure the mental dimension who impressed the most. While so many players lose their nerve against Coello and Tapia, Esbrí and Diestro displayed a disconcerting serenity. They have won the important points, made the right decisions, and held up in the hot moments.

Tapia / Coello: off-topic

Faced with this demonstration, the number 1s appeared strangely absent. Usually, when one of the two is having a bad day, the other raises his level to compensate. But in Asunción, neither Agustín nor Arturo were in their game.

The unforced errors piled up, the smashes flew away, disagreements have multiplied. We even saw hesitations in the center of the field, something very rare among them. And above all, the stats speak for themselves :

  • 17 break points obtained, only 4 materialized.
  • 69 winning points for Coello / Tapia, against 73 for Diestro / Esbrí.

When Tapia / Coello produce less play than their opponents, it's good that there was a problem.

statistics coello tapia vs esbri diestro

A memorable tournament

Beating Libaak / Garridothen Paquito / Bergaminiand finally, Coello / Tapia, Esbrí and Diestro sign one of the best series of the season. They have made the world number 1s vulnerable, human, and doubtful.

“It’s a week we’ll never forget,” said Juanlu Esbrí, still emotional after the match.

And for good reason : manipulate the leaders of the ranking, dominate them, and make them doubt, it is the mark of the greats. This quarter-final of Asunción 2025 will remain as one of the great performances of the year.

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 !

On the same subject

Tags