Mar del Plata Premier Padel P1, day 2. Sanyo Gutierrez wins family derby against his nephew Agustin

The Gutierrez family derby was won by Uncle Sanyo. Paired with Maxi Sanchez, the Argentine defeated his nephew Agustin (and Spanish Josete Rico) with a score of 7-5 6-1, qualifying for the round of 16 of the Mar del Plata Premier Padel P1. But the crowd at the Polideportivo Islas Malvinas celebrates also the victory of wild cards Federico Chiostri and Maxi Sanchez Blasco, who at the end of a match that lasted two hours and 56 minutes defeated 6-3 2-6 7-6 Ramiro Moyano and Xisco Gil, the number 12 seed. The support of the Mar del Plata crowd was not enough for Juan Cruz Belluati and Miguel Lamperti, beaten in two sets (6-3 7-5) by Coki Nieto and Jon Sanz, as well as Lucho Capra and Alex Chozas (13), surprised 6-3 6-3 by Javier Barahona and Teo Zapata. The other feat of the day was that of qualifiers Javier Valdes and Emilio Sanchez Chamero, who earned the round of 16 thanks to a 7-5 7-6 win over Gonzalo Rubio and Jairo Bautista (16). In the women’s draw, on the other hand, Alejandra Salazar and Tamara Icardo made a convincing debut, beating Saiz/Merino 6-0 in just 47 minutes. A physical problem finally forced Claudia Jensen to retire, who with Jessica Castelló (6) was down a set and a break against Spanish talents Alejandra Alonso and Andrea Ustero.

The day 2 of the Mar del Plata Premier Padel P1 was also one of speeches. Starting with those of a legend like Fernando Belasteguin, who is obviously one of the most beloved players in Argentina. “A spectacular event, which I was afraid not to play because of the injury – the words of Bela, who with Juan Tello will start his tournament against Diestro/Lijó –. My season is like starting here”. From Belasteguin also a message to the youngest: “Educating children with sport is for me the most important thing. Talking about padel, however, we are talking about the sport of the future, if we are all able to walk in the same direction and all united. All the nations are getting to know it and everyone is falling in love with it”. Fernando Belasteguin will play at home, but so will Delfi Brea, who with Bea Gonzalez comes to Mar del Plata with four tournaments won in a row. “It will be a beautiful week, in which I will be close to my family – Delfi said –. I’m playing without the pressure of the result, it is already a dream to be here”. The first opponents of Brea/Gonzalez (2) will be qualifiers Raquel Eugenio and Martina Fassio.

Today will be the day of the debut for all the world’s best pairs: Arturo Coello and Agustin Tapia, coming from their victory in Asunción, will play on court number 2 (fifth match) against Cristian Gutierrez and Jorge Ruiz; the third match on the Centre Court will see Federico Chingotto and Ale Galan (2) play against qualifiers Rodriguez/Santigosa. For Paquito Navarro and Juan Lebron (3) there is Cepero/Benitez. The big match, however, is the one that will close the schedule on the Centre Court, and it will be an all-Argentinean challenge: on one side Franco Stupaczuk and Martin Di Nenno, the number 4 seed, on the other side the young Tino Libaak and Leo Augsburger. In the women’s draw, however, in addition to Brea/Gonzalez, debut for the number 1 ranked Paula Josemaria and Ari Sanchez against Noa Canovas and Jimena Velasco (not before 4 p.m. Argentine time, 9 p.m. CET), but also the Asunción finalists Gemma Triay and Claudia Fernandez (they will face qualifiers Monica Gomes and Manuela Schuck) and Marta Ortega and Veronica Virseda (5) against Alix Collombon and Julieta Bidahorria in the match that will open the schedule at 9 a.m. Argentine time, 2 p.m. CET.