By Kevin Rademeyer, Sports Journalist.
Photo Credit: Silvestreszpylma/ Premier Padel.
Martina Calvo and Claudia Fernández, alongside Agustín Tapia and Arturo Coello, completed a memorable week at the CUPRA Germany Premier Padel P2 in Düsseldorf, with both partnerships lifting the title after impressive performances in Sunday’s finals.
The fourth seeded Calvo and Fernández produced a commanding display to defeat Ari Sánchez and Andrea Ustero, gaining revenge for their defeat in the Paris Major final. Meanwhile, world No. 1s Coello and Tapia overcame Franco Stupaczuk and Jon Sanz to secure their first Germany P2 crown, their third consecutive title and their 11th trophy of the season.
Calvo and Fernández underlined their growing status as one of the most exciting partnerships on the Tour with a comprehensive 6 – 3, 6 – 0 victory over Sánchez and Ustero.
The young Spanish pairing arrived in the final after a demanding semi final against second seeds Bea González and Paula Josemaría, winning 6 – 4, 5 – 7, 7 – 6. They showed little sign of fatigue against Sánchez and Ustero, who had won the previous two Tour events and beaten the world No. 1s on their way to the final.
Calvo and Fernández needed just one hour and eight minutes to seal the title. They took the opening set 6 – 3, converting one of their two break point opportunities while producing 23 winners to their opponents’ 14.
Their dominance intensified in the second set. Three breaks of serve helped them complete a remarkable 6 to 0 finish and secure their second title together.
The victory earned each player 600 FIP Race points and provided a timely confidence boost ahead of the Milan P1. Since joining forces in July, the pair have won two titles, reached two finals and made two semi finals across six Premier Padel tournaments.
“We’re absolutely delighted. It was a dream final, and we played at an incredible level,” Fernández said, dedicating the victory to her family and team.
Calvo said the key was remaining committed to every point after their lengthy semi final.
“We faced them in Paris and it didn’t go well for us because they played a perfect match. But today we can say that we were the ones who played to perfection. We want more next week,” she said.
Coello and Tapia also had reason to celebrate after ending their wait for a Germany P2 title.
The top seeds lost last year’s final to Ale Galán and Federico Chingotto, but made no mistake this time, defeating fourth seeds Stupaczuk and Sanz 6 to 2, 7 to 6.
The victory was their second consecutive win over the Spanish and Argentine pairing, following their meeting the previous week. It also extended their run to three consecutive titles after triumphs at the Paris Major and Rotterdam P2.
Coello and Tapia appeared in control after taking the opening set 6 to 2, but Stupaczuk and Sanz mounted a serious challenge in the second. The fourth seeds moved 6 to 5 ahead and served for the set, only for the world No. 1s to raise their level, break back and close out the match in the tie break, winning it 7 to 5.
The result strengthened their position in the FIP Race as they continue their pursuit of a fourth consecutive season as the sport’s top ranked partnership.
“This title is very special for us because we had never won in Germany. It’s been incredible to play here, where padel is growing so much,” Coello said.
He also praised their opponents and teammate Tapia, describing the Argentine as a true world No. 1.
Tapia welcomed the breakthrough after previous disappointments in Germany, saying the team were delighted to have finally won in a country where results had not gone their way.
The defeat also left Stupaczuk with work to do to preserve his remarkable record of winning at least one title on the leading Tour in each of the past nine years. He will have further opportunities in Milan, Kuwait, Dubai, Acapulco and Barcelona.
The European swing now moves to Italy, with the main draw of the Allianz Cloud Milan P1 beginning on Monday, 12 October.
With more than 1,000 ranking points and a €479,068 prize purse on offer, the tournament carries significant weight as the season approaches its decisive stages. Two Majors remain, while the battles for the No. 1 positions in the FIP Ranking and qualification for the season ending Finals are gathering momentum.
After a week of high quality padel in Düsseldorf, both Calvo and Fernández and Coello and Tapia will arrive in Milan with confidence, momentum and another title to defend.