Josemaria/Sanchez suffer, but gain final. They’ll challenge Ortega/Triay

Ari Sanchez/Paula Josemaria-Marta Ortega/Gemma Triay will be the first women’s final at the Greenweez Paris Major Premier Padel. On the Philippe Chatrier court at Roland Garros, the top two seeded couples of the draw prevailed in their respective semifinals booking their place in the final the prestigious title in the French capital tomorrow. Where an exciting re-edition of the final played in July in Rome will be staged.

They saw defeat and elimination really close, but in the end Ari Sanchez and Paula Josemaria – with a lot of grit and self-sacrifice – managed to find each other and overcame Sofia Araujo and Alejandra Salazar, a couple born recently but which has already showed great strength and harmony. After winning the first set 6-3 and moving within two points of the match at 5-4 (30-30), the No. 4 seeding suffered the return of the two Spaniards, who – led by Paula Josemaria – managed to win 7-5 and take the match to the third set, where they prevailed 6-2 in 2 hours and 40 minutes, putting in four consecutive games after losing the break lead obtained in the opening. For Ari and Paula this is the third final in the Premier Padel circuit after the one lost in Rome against Marta Ortega and Gemma Triay and the one lost in Madrid against Delfi Brea and Bea Gonzalez.

“I’m very happy, it was a very tough match and we suffered a lot on the court: perhaps in key moments, like 5-4 down in the second set, I had that courage that characterizes me which was important“, explained Paula Josemaria, “It was a match of ups and downs, there was a phase in which they had control of the game and were close to success, but then we were the ones who prevailed. We are in the final and the truth is that I have no words: we are a great team, we always support each other“. Ari Sanchez had sweet words for his partner: “Today my management was quite negative overall: I had bad sensations from the start, I lacked pace and also a bit of confidence. I think we’re in the final only thanks to Paula who did very well, so I just want to thank her because we will be able to play another final in a stadium with a lot of people and a super atmosphere“. A thought for her former partner Alejandra Salazar: “She’s a player I played with for two years, I have a lot of respect for her, I know she’s coming back from a very tough injury and a difficult moment: I was lucky to play with her, I really learned a lot.”

In the second semi-final, Jessica Castello (Spain) and Aranzazu Osoro (Argentina) were unable to repeat their feat in the quarterfinals against Bea Gonzalez and Delfi Brea and bowed to the excessive power of Marta Ortega and Gemma Triay, the champions in Rome. After Friday’s battle, the number 2 seeded couple started this time with their foot pressed on the accelerator and after winning the first set 6-3 they immediately took away their opponents’ serve. Ortega and Triay lost and then recovered the lead they gained in the second set, eventually beating the number 8 pair on the scoreboard 6-3, 6-2 in an hour and 27 minutes of play..