This final of WPT Minorca Open was going to be filled with a lot of emotion, regardless of which team won. On the one hand, Gemma Triay played at home, looking for a third consecutive title at home. On the other, Paula Josemaria, in tears when entering the field, following the death of his grandmother earlier in the day.
At the end of a suspenseful encounter, the world number two seize the crown in Menorca in 2h52: 6/4 4/6 6/4. Second title for this team this season, after its victory in Premier Padel from Rome. And third consecutive title for Gemma Triay at home in Menorca.
The set of missed opportunities
Difficult for the two teams to start this meeting, while we feel the world number ones really affected by the tragedy which affected the family of Paula Josemaria. However, the latter got into her match well. It's more Ariana Sanchez who has difficulty managing her emotions. She commits three consecutive faults in her service game, offering the break to Gemma Triay and Marta Ortega.
– CM, ponme un puntazo.
— World Padel Tour (@WorldPadelTower) October 29, 2023
– Marchando, jefe.#WPTMenorcaOpen pic.twitter.com/hSCm2mISuX
During the next three service games, Paula and Ari offer themselves 6 break points. But Marta and Gemma tighten up their game at the right time. And above all, they have much better control over gold pointso, which allows them to stay ahead in the score.
Despite very competitive service games, Marta Ortega and Gemma Triay got through it. On yet another golden point, the world number two manage to take the first set: 6/4.
This is the first time since Paris that Paula and Ari have lost a set.
The awakening of the world number ones
Still at the start of the second set, Paula Josemaria and Ariana Sanchez are broken. And as during the first set, they obtain break points on the following service game. This time, they did not miss their chance and converted a break point for the first time, after 8 missed opportunities.
Finally, the Josemaria/Sanchez pair seems better in this final. And after missing so many chances in this first round, the Hispanic pair took the lead for the first time and led 4/1.
#WPTMenorcaOpen pic.twitter.com/nPgO8PDOYu
— World Padel Tour (@WorldPadelTower) October 29, 2023
Everything seems to be smiling in this number one set. If they lacked success in important moments in the first set, they managed to put their game together more easily. They offer themselves 4 set balls at 5/1.
Far from being knocked out in this set, Gemma and Marta erase these opportunities. From 5/1, they return to 5/4, worrying the number ones. They save 4 set balls. Finally, Paula and Ari offer 4 new break points, converting the first.
Missed opportunities until the end
As in the first two rounds, Gemma Triay and Marta Ortega break first. It was about 9ème point of gold of this meeting. And the world number two won 8. They are in total control during important moments.
The Triay/Ortega pair gave a boost to this meeting. On the commitment of Paula Josemaria, the Spanish offer themselves 4 double-break balls. Miraculously, Paula and Ariana manage to keep hope in this match and get back to 3/2.
Así. Like so nada. Reina. @gemmatriay #WPTMenorcaOpen pic.twitter.com/0ZAVu6aT4J
— World Padel Tour (@WorldPadelTower) October 29, 2023
The world number ones have 4 opportunities to pick up the score and clear this delay break. But Marta Ortega is valiant in defense and manages to ward off the danger at exceptional defensive points. The world number two are only 1 game away from the title. 5/3.
In a final which kept the public in suspense until the match point, Gemma Triay and Marta Ortega triumphed. In a final close game, where Paula and Ariana will have two new opportunities to pick up the score, Marta and Gemma hold on. And on a final point of oro, victory for the Triay/Ortega pair. This match could not have ended any other way.
It was her brother who one day told her to accompany him to a padel court, since then, Gwenaëlle has never left the court. Except when it comes to going to watch the retransmission of Padel Magazine, World Padel Tour… or Premier Padel…or the French Championships. In short, she is a fan of this sport.