Day 4. The ‘Vikings’ and ‘the Vikinga’ in the semi-finals: Sweden and Osoro dream

In Cancun, thousands of miles from northern Europe, Swedish padel history was written: for the first time, two players coming from there reached a semi-final in a Qatar Airways Premier Padel draw. Thanks to Simon Vasquez and Adam Axelsson, respectively number 101 and 136 in the FIP ranking, who were able to beat Gijon champions ‘Curro’ Cabeza and David Garcia 7-6 6-3. Axelsson, who has yet to turn 20, is one of the tallest players on the circuit: two metres of power but also coordination, which combined with Vasquez’s experience make Sweden dream. Today, Adam (winner of three CUPRA FIP Tour tournaments) and Simon (who has won six CUPRA titles, including two with Vasquez in 2025, in Gothenburg and Dubai) will play in the second semi-final of the men’s draw against Tolito Aguirre and Gonza Alfonso, one of the most performing pairs at the moment. The other semifinal will instead see number 1 seed Franco Stupaczuk and Juan Lebron facing the other big surprise, the ‘pareja’ formed by Marc Sintes and Nacho Moragues, who also eliminated Alberto Garcia and Christian Medina Murphy in three sets.

WOMEN Dreams of Sweden with the ‘Vikings’, but also dreams of the ‘Vikinga’ Aranzazu Osoro, who after four semi-finals lost (two in Paris, one in Milan and one in NewGiza) dreams of going for the first Premier Padel title of her career. The Argentine, paired with Jessica Castelló (7), overcame Lucia Sainz and Patty Llaguno in three sets (4-6 6-1 6-2) and today at 4.30 pm local time (10.30 pm CET) will open the semifinals schedule against Delfi Brea and Gemma Triay, who gave up only three games (6-2 6-1) to Ale Alonso and Andrea Ustero. In the second semifinal, number 1 ranked Ari Sanchez and Paula Josemaria and number 3 ranked Marta Ortega and Sofia Araujo will face each other.