Sixth women’s title in a row for Spain. Argentina defeated, but what a battle!

The black ribbon on their arm to honour the victims of Valencia, the tears of Ale Salazar at the moment of the national anthem. Then the big celebration on the court, for the sixth title in a row in the women’s tournament, the ninth in history. Spain again ascends the throne of the FIP World Padel Championships, overcoming Argentina at the end of a beautiful final, with the second match – the one that gave Spain the decisive point – lasting almost three hours. At the Khalifa Tennis&Squash Complex in Doha, the best of world women’s padel took to the court. Icíar Montes, captain of Spain, choosed the top two pairs in the FIP ranking: first Gemma Triay (3) and Claudia Fernandez (4), then Paula Josemaria and Ari Sanchez, the number 1. But Argentina, who won their last title in 2012, did its best.

Triay and Fernandez brought home the first point, thanks to a 6-3 6-2 win over Virginia Riera and Julieta Bidahorria. But the Albiceleste came very close to taking the final to the deciding match, thanks to a great performance by Delfi Brea and Claudia Jensen. After winning the first set with a score of 6-3 over Paula Josemaria and Ari Sanchez, the Argentines had regained a 4-1 disadvantage in the second, until they found themselves serving for the match at 5-4. At that point, however, all the talent of Paula and Ari emerged, and they were able to regain a break in the deciding set as well, with Brea and Jensen not enough to find themselves back on 5-4 and with service at their disposal. Spain, with three games in a row, confirmed itself on the throne of the world.

“It was a very tough match, but we are an incredible team and we showed that we are throughout the week – Ari’s words –, but at the most important moment we brought out all our qualities”. “Especially in the first set the match was really tough – added Paula. We suffered, but we tried to put as many balls on the court as possible. Congratulations to Argentina for playing to their limits, we, on the other hand, want to dedicate this to the Comunidad Valenciana. We are all with you”.