Miguel Angel Fernandez Sota and Jorge Martinez Del Campo have taken the Stratford title after a closely-contested final lasting a marathon 75 minutes.
The much-fancied British duo of Sam Jones and Louie Harris, their opponents in the final, provided strong resistance, with 6’3 Welshman Harris pleasing the crowd with a succession of spectacular smashes particularly in the second set as they fought back from losing the first 6-2. Jones and Harris took the second 6-3, setting up the decider.
Jones and Harris had earlier survived a tough second round draw against another experienced British pairing, Francis Langan and Nikhil Mohindra, a close match which belied the scoreline of 6-1, 6-2.
However the unquestionable bond between Fernandez Sota and Martinez Del Campo proved to be the difference in the decider. Having played together for many years, the pair demonstrated an intimate understanding of each others’ games.
Both players coach professionally as well as being regular competitors – Martinez Del Campo at Stratford, and Fernandez Sota in Santander, Spain where he is based.
Martinez Del Campo said afterwards “It was a very tough tournament, probably the hardest this year so far but we got the win thanks to the rapport I have with Miguel as we have played together for many years in the past”.
The excitement generated by the tournament among the UK padel scene leaves many eagerly anticipating the rest of the 2022 schedule, with the next big event on British soil taking place at the National Tennis Centre on Sunday 5th June.
Those involved in padel have long since known the growth potential of the sport in this country, but first-timers at the Stratford tournament are now left in no doubt.
Full results (men)
