By Kevin Rademeyer, Sports Journalist.
Photo Credit: Silvestreszpylma / Premier Padel.
Paris has seen plenty of sporting drama. Now padel is ready to add another chapter.
The Alpine Paris Major has reached its business end, with Roland Garros transformed once again from tennis cathedral into the biggest stage in professional padel.
For the players, this tournament carries a different weight. It’s not simply the ranking points or prize money. It’s the setting. Glass courts have been built on the same ground where tennis legends made history, and the significance isn’t lost on those walking through the tunnel.
Martita Ortega and Sofia Araújo produced one of the tournament’s great escapes on Friday.
The fifth seeds looked finished after dropping the opening set against Perlamita. Instead, they dug in, absorbed the pressure and turned the match into a test of nerve.
Then came the drama.
Ortega and Araújo saved five match points before winning two successive tie breaks to complete a stunning comeback.
It was a victory built on patience and resilience, but also one that could prove significant for Ortega beyond Paris.
The Spaniard is hoping to make the national squad for the FIP World Cup in November, with coach Carolina Navarro due to name her eight players on September 24. “I hope I can make it to the FIP World Cup. It’s a week I absolutely love, my favourite of the year,” Ortega said.
“Having all the players I compete against on the same side is amazing. We all work to be called up.”
There is little time to celebrate.
Ortega and Araújo now face third seeds Ari Sánchez and Andrea Ustero for a place in the final. Sánchez brings experience and composure, while Ustero has developed into one of the most dangerous young players on the circuit.
The other semi final has a familiar feel.
Top seeds Gemma Triay and Delfi Brea meet Martina Calvo and Claudia Fernández in a repeat of the Pretoria Premier Padel final.
Triay and Brea will start as favourites, but Calvo and Fernández have already shown they’re capable of making life uncomfortable for the best. Their energy and attacking intent could turn this into a bruising contest.
In the men’s tournament, Paquito Navarro and Martín Di Nenno are chasing a place in the Paris final, as well as a higher place in the rankings.
The Spanish Argentine pairing fought back from a set down to beat Franco Stupaczuk and Jon Sanz 4 -6, 6 -1, 6- 4 in a quarter final that lasted more than two hours.
The victory moves them closer to fourth place, currently occupied by Stupaczuk and Sanz.
It’s also a major improvement on last year, when both players suffered first round exits with different partners.
They have already secured at least 1,260 ranking points between them and now face another serious test.
Chingotto and Galán stand in their way.
The two teams know each other well, and there’s recent history. Chingotto and Galán beat Navarro and Di Nenno in a pulsating quarter final at last week’s Madrid P1.
Expect another tactical battle, with neither partnership willing to give an inch.
Then comes the heavyweight clash.
World No 1s Agustín Tapia and Arturo Coello face Juan Lebrón and Leo Augsburger in a semi final that could light up Philippe Chatrier.
Tapia and Coello have established themselves as the benchmark in men’s padel. But Lebrón and Augsburger have the aggression, athleticism and explosive shot making to drag them into a completely different kind of contest.
It’s the sort of match that can turn on one point. One loose volley. One failed smash. One moment of hesitation. And suddenly a final is within reach.
The quarter finals delivered comebacks, pressure and drama. Now Paris gets the matches everyone came to see.
Four semi finals. Eight teams. One Roland Garros title.
Line-up for Saturday’s semi-finals at the Paris Major. Play will get underway at 1:00 p.m ( SA Time) . on Philippe Chatrier:
Ari Sánchez – Andrea Ustero (#3) vs Ortega – Josemaría (#5)
Agustín Tapia – Arturo Coello (#1) vs Juan Lebrón – Leo Augsburger (#3)
Gemma Triay – Delfi Brea (#1) vs Martina Calvo – Claudia Fernández (#4)
Chingotto – Galán (#2) vs Navarro – Di Nenno (#6).