It has become a classic in the world of padel this year: Paula Josemaria and Ari Sanchez met their best enemies, Gemma Triay and Marta Ortega, in the Düsseldorf final. It was already about the sixth confrontation between these two pairs since the association of Triay/Ortega during the Human Padel Toulouse Open. After a crazy match full of twists and turns, the world number ones finally won, 6-3, 7/6 (5), in almost two hours of play.

There was a clear domination in the head-to-head matches between these two pairs. Sanchez and Josemaria won four of the five meetings in the final against Ortega/Triay, each time in two sets. And this final was no exception.

Josemaria and Sanchez true to themselves

Josemaria and Sanchez did not have a warm-up round and got into the thick of things from the first game of this final, showing a lot of intensity in the exchanges. They set their pace and are the first to make the break in this part. They take control with a simple and offensive game, destabilizing their opponents.

Far from being defeated, the world number two took advantage of a few errors from Ariana Sanchez to claim the first gold point of this final, not letting the queens of the circuit escape in this first round. Everything has to be done again at 2-2.

The four players demonstrate all their talent, with shots more spectacular than the others. The number ones regain the advantage by breaking a second time in this first set. This time, they confirm it on the serve of Paula Josemaria, who uses her left-handed shots to disturb Marta and Gemma.

Having reached their cruising speed, the queens of the circuit widen the gap in this final. After some difficulties on Ariana Sanchez's serve, the number ones lost a first break ahead of a new gold point won by the Triay/Ortega pair. However, that's not enough to worry Paula and Ariana. They won the first set 6-3.

Ariana / Paula: some scares

Although in a good position in this final, the world numbers 1 made some mistakes, similar to those made at the Madrid Masters last week. This drop in speed offers the first break to Triay and Ortega.

With Marta Ortega full of good intentions, but perhaps a little too eager, committing four faults in the following game, the Josemaria/Sanchez pair can immediately pick up the score in this second set.

The loss of this service game seems to deal a heavy blow to the morale of Marta Ortega, who accumulates unforced errors with her backhand volley. At his side, Gemma Triay is not creative enough to really disturb the world number ones, very serene and rich from their past experience in the caja magica.

Despite a few errors, Paula and Ari offer a little respite to the world number two, and a new break takes place on the serve of Ariana Sanchez, then on that of Paula. Led 5-1, Gemma and Marta return in this second set, saving three match points. At 5-4, the match is completely restarted.

Valiant and courageous, Gemma and Marta save six match points and sow doubt among their opponents by taking them into a decisive tie-break. Like this second set, the tie-break is tight and tumultuous. Ariana Sanchez continues to make a lot of mistakes. It will take an eighth match point for the number ones to seize the crown in Düsseldorf.

Undisputed queens of the circuit

Ari and Paula have shined with their consistency since the start of the season. The numbers speak for themselves, with 16 finals for world number ones and 12 victories, all circuits combined.

It was also a special occasion for Ariana Sanchez, who was playing in her 60th career final, now with 34 victories. She, who won her first tournament in Santander in 2017 with her partner… Marta Ortega, demonstrates her longevity in the world of padel.

This year, the Josemaria/Sanchez pair dominates everything. Despite injuries and the loss of the number one place the previous season during their last match, the two players came back stronger, with a certain maturity, to establish themselves as true queens of the circuit. They set a new record this season, with 13 titles won on the World Padel Tour and Premier Padel, making them the most successful pair in a season.

Gwenaelle Souyri

It was his brother who one day told him to accompany him on a track. padel, since then, Gwenaëlle has never left the court. Except when it comes to going to watch the broadcast of Padel Magazine, World Padel Tour… or Premier Padel…or the French Championships. In short, she is a fan of this sport.

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