By ALAN THATCHER
The favourites have all safely made their way into the quarter-finals of the Greenweez Paris Premier Padel Major at the Stade Roland-Garros. However, Spain’s top seeds Alejandro Galan and Juan Lebron did not have it all their own way against No.16 seeds and compatriots Antonio Fernandez and Jose Antonio Diestro, who took them the distance before the favourites won 6-1, 5-7, 6-2.
Galan and Lebron’s reward is a meeting with Fernando Belasteguin (ARG) and Arturo Coello (ESP), who beat Spain’s Pablo Lijo and Javi Ruiz 7-5, 5-7, 6-3.
Today’s showdown is the pick of Friday’s four big matches at the home of French tennis, whose hosting of this padel Major elevates the sport to new heights in a breakthrough year for the game.
For their part, No. 2 seeds Martin Di Nenno (ARG) and Francisco Navarro (ESP) checked into the last eight with victory over Lucas Bergamini (BRA) and Victor Ruiz (ESP).
Also into the quarter-finals are the third-seeded Pablo Lima (BRA) and Franco Stupaczuk (ARG) and the Argentinian pairing of Federico Chingotto and Juan Tello, the No. 4 seeds.
Wherever you are in the world, look out for the TV coverage from Paris.
With thanks to Albert Rimbau and Luis Lazarich for their help with the words and pictures.
Thursday results here
Order of Play for Friday:
