Padel in Riyadh: successes for Lebron/Galan and Sanchez/Josemaria

Everything according to prediction at Riad Season P1: the numbers on the scoreboard win, both among women and men. First Paula Josemaria and Ari Sanchez, then Juan Lebron and Ale Galan: they are the ones who lift the first trophy of the season.

men

—

It took three sets to crown Juan Lebron and Ale Galan who, thanks to 6-7 6-4 6-4 over Arturo Coello and Agustin Tapia, start again in 2024 just as they left in 2023. From Milan to Riyadh, they are still the Galacticos to triumph. Yet the match had started badly, with Coello and Tapia not having conceded a break point for the entire first set, despite not having exploited five of them. In the tiebreak, 5-2 for ‘Arturito’ and Agustin, reached at 5-5 but able to close thanks also to a wrong volley from Lebron. In the second set, however, the situation began to reverse: first break point in the third game, then two more in the fifth, finally good ones in the ninth, with two errors from Coello, to which another was added on set point who gave the Riyadh audience another stellar set of padel. The third and decisive set also started better for Lebron/Galan, with three break points in the third game, the first of which was immediately exploited. The Spaniards retained their advantage, taking risks only in the eighth game, with three break points canceled out, the second with a crazy smash from Galan. And with another smash, after two hours and 7′, Lebron closed the match. “Winning the first tournament of the season was our goal – Galan’s words -. After all the difficulties of last year, we wanted to start well”. “I congratulate Arturo and Agustin – added Lebron -. As the tournament progressed we found more and more confidence. Thanks to coach Jorge Martinez, to all the staff and to the Arabian public, who hosted us for the first time “.

women

—

Ari Sanchez and Paula Josemaria only needed 72 minutes to reach their first final of the season. The Spaniards beat Delfina Brea and Bea Gonzalez 6-3 6-2 (2), at the end of a match that was already aimed at the world number 1s from the first games. After the opening break (3-0), Brea/Gonzalez managed to get back into the set in the seventh game, only to then concede serve again in the following game. A volley from Josemaria gave the number 1s a further advantage in the third game of the second set, with two errors from Delfi Brea which brought the lead to two breaks. It was impossible for Brea/Gonzalez to get back into the match, with Josemaria’s “The preparation was very hard, but we managed to start the season well – Paula’s comment -. We thank our team who did a great job”. “I’m very happy – continued Ari -, but I have to congratulate our opponents and especially Paula, who was the best on the pitch. Now, however, let’s look to Doha”. In fact, there isn’t even time to celebrate the two winning couples when from tomorrow the Premier Padel circuit moves to Doha, home of the first Major of the year, the Ooredoo Qatar Major Premier Padel. After the conclusion of the qualifiers, the main draw starts tomorrow, with Lebron/Galan and Josemaria/Sanchez immediately looking for an encore.