By ALAN THATCHER
The semi-final line-up at the Greenweez Paris Premier Padel Major is now complete, with the top four seeds all winning through to the last four at Stade Roland-Garros.
In Friday’s big match, Spanish pairing Alejandro Galan and Juan Lebron lived up to their No. 1 seeding by cruising to a 6-2, 6-2 win over the fifth-seeded pair of Fernando Belasteguin (Argentina) and Arturo Coello (Spain).
The tournament website reported: “It’s no secret that when they’re on song, the world No.1s are virtually unplayable. Fernando Belasteguin and Arturo Coello can vouch for that. Bela, who has dominated the world rankings for the last 16 years, and his young partner had no answers to the duo coached by Mariano Amat, who checked into the final courtesy of an emphatic 6-2 6-2 win.”
The world’s top-ranked duo will now face No. 3 seeds Pablo Lima (Brazil) and Franco Stupaczuk (Argentina), who were too good for eighth seeds Lucas Campagnolo (Brazil) and Javier Garrido (Spain), winning 6-2, 7-6.
In the other semi-final, Argentine No. 4 seeds Federico Chingotto and Juan Tello will take on second seeds Martin Di Nenno (Argentina) and Francisco Navarro (Spain).
The website reported:
“The day’s opening match on a very warm Philippe-Chatrier saw the Brazilians Pablo Lima and Lucas Campagnolo go head to head. It was the former who drew first blood, as he and partner Franco Stupaczuk took the opening set 6-2. Campagnolo and team-mate Javi Garrido found their best padel in the second, which went to a tie-break, only for the No. 2 seeds to make their experience count and win it to complete a straight-sets victory.
“In ideal conditions for the heavyweights, Juan Tello flexed his muscles in the second quarter-final of the day. Accompanied by the metronomic Federico Chingotto, the man they call El Gato (“The Cat”) was in irrepressible form as he purred around the court. Lucho Capra and Maxi Sanchez gave their all on the other side of the net but were powerless to prevent Tello and Chingotto recording a deserved 6-3, 6-3 win.
“The day’s final game was also decided in two sets. Taking on surprise packages Javi Leal (who picked up an injury during the course of the match) and Javi Rico, Martin Di Nenno and Paquito Navarro were in no mood to mess around.
“Failing to recapture their form of Thursday, Los Javi had their moments but it was in no way enough against a supremely confident Di Nenno and an in-form Navarro. The man from Andalusia reeled off winner after winner for the best part of an hour, with the Rodri Ovide charges prevailing 6-3, 6-1 to make it a third semi-final in as many majors.”
PARIS RESULTS
Greenweez Paris Premier Padel Major Quarter Finals, Stade Roland-Garros, Paris.
(3) Pablo Lima (Bra) and Franco Stupaczuk (Arg) beat (8) Lucas Campognolo (Bra) and Javier Garrido (Esp) 6-2, 7-6
(4) Federico Chingotto (Arg) and Juan Tello (Arg) beat (7) Luciano Capra (Arg) and Maximilliano Sanchez (Arg) 6-3, 6-3
(1) Alejandro Galan (Esp) and Juan Lebron (Esp) beat (5) Fernando Belasteguin (Arg) and Arturo Coello (Esp) 6-2, 6-2
(2) Martin Di Menno (Arg) and Francisco Navarro (Esp) beat (10) Javier Leal (Esp) and Javier Rico (Esp) 6-3, 6-1
Semi-Finals, Saturday July 16, Court Philippe Chatrier:
3pm: (1) Alejandro Galan (Esp) and Juan Lebron (Esp) v (3) Pablo Lima (Bra) and Franco Stupaczuk (Arg)
Followed by:
(2) Martin Di Menno (Arg) and Francisco Navarro (Esp) v (4) Federico Chingotto (Arg) and Juan Tello (Arg)
Additional reporting: Thanks to Albert Rimbau and Luis Lazarich.
Pictures courtesy of Premier Padel.
Official Tournament website
