Christian Medina Murphy will carry British hopes into the second round of the inaugural London Premier Padel P1 after securing a late-night victory on Tuesday at Olympia.
The GB men’s no.1 joined long-time playing partner Alberto Garcia Jimenez of Spain in the last match of the day on the 4,000-capacity Centre Court at the stunning West London arena.
Aided by an opponent’s injury midway into the second set, world no.173 Medina Murphy and Garcia Jimenez, ranked 142, were consummate 6-2, 6-2 victors over Agustin Gutierrez of Argentina and Santino Giuliani Lombardo of Italy, the respective world no.104 and 220.
“I’m so happy to win our first match here,” said the 27-year-old, who was born not far away in Kingston-upon-Thames.
“It’s not like a normal win because in the last few games our rival was a bit injured, but I’m happy to show our level to the home crowd and I’m excited to be here again tomorrow.”
Medina Murphy and Garcia Jimenez’s next mission will be a mighty one. They’re up against Argentine pairing Juan Tello and Maximiliano Arce Simo, who won FIP Gold and Platinum titles in June.
Here’s your wrap of the other British men in action on day one at Olympia (read our GB women’s review here):
Louie Harris & Francisco Jurado Sosa (UAE) v Santiago Jose Pineda Cabello (Esp) & Javier Ruiz Gonzalez (Esp)
GB no.2 Louie Harris teamed up with Francisco Jurado Sosa from the UAE after the Welshman’s regular partner Alex Loughlan sustained an injury on FIP tour duty in Porto.
The Spaniards’ superior world rankings (Ruiz Gonzalez at no.44 and Pineda Cabello at no.95) and Harris’ lack of familiarity with his partner were both factors as two sets quickly flashed by 6-3, 6-2.
A big trademark smash and a whipped forehand winner deep in the second set were welcome relief for Harris and got the crowd cheering, but ultimately couldn’t prevent the Spanish pair from progressing without too much fuss.
“Playing in London in front of a home crowd was a really special experience,” said Harris. “The atmosphere was incredible, and I’m proud to have been part of this historic moment.”
Chris Salisbury & Alfonso Patacho v Ignacio Piotto Albornoz (Arg) & Juan Cruz Belluati (Arg)
Earlier on, fellow GB wildcards Chris Salisbury and Alfonso Patacho were not expected to inflict too many dents on Argentinians Ignacio Piotto Albornoz and Juan Cruz Belluati, the world nos.78 and 47 respectively, but a purple patch midway through the second set offered them hope.
Salisbury admitted to some early big-stage nerves — “We didn’t get any rhythm and we were making mistakes,” but in the second set, the Brits hit back from a break down to lead 4-3.
“We got the crowd up and we started to believe,” Salisbury reflected. “Trouble is, that’s when the nerves come back in a bit! I’m pleased we fought as hard as we could and there were some great points. I’m disappointed that we didn’t make that second set longer, but proud and happy after the experience.”
Patacho added: “It always hurts to lose, but with the crowd like this and our fight in the second set, you do go home proud.
“This on a different level. We have played at the World and European Championships in big stadiums, but this beats everything.”
