6-4 6-4 on Centrale for Belasteguin/Tello, 6-4 6-4 on Pietrangeli for Tapia/Coello , with practically identical duration and winning match-point a handful of minutes apart from each other. The last two of the most anticipated couples of the BNL Italy Major also earned a place in the round of 16 on Thursday, winning in their first match on the courts of the Foro Italico. The “Boss” Bela, in his last in Rome in the year that will see him close the most successful career in the history of padel , arrived in Italy after the first seasonal semi-final played in Bordeaux and dreams of carving out this year too – as already between 2022 and 2023 – the leading role. Against Windahl/Solano their homework was enough, with a double 6-4 with a comeback from 0-3 in the second set, and the quarterfinals are within reach: on Thursday they face Campagnolo/Leal .
A very full Pietrangeli instead celebrated the return to Rome of the reigning champions Coello/Tapia , who this season (like last) are winning more than anyone else. The Foro Italico Major is one of their primary objectives and the debut was very similar to last year’s, with a tighter than expected match against qualifiers Mario Huete and Adrian Marques. But don’t worry: number one people are masters of sipping energy, and know how to change pace when they deem it necessary .
Franco Stupaczuk and Martin Di Nenno , the number 3 pair, also had a good start. Against Sanchez/Valdes they managed to lead 6-0 2-0 and three double break points (from 40-0) before encountering a small decline which he started the match for his rivals, who were then able to fight it out until 7-5. But that doesn’t mean it’s a bad thing: it will serve to remind them that in order to win, they can no longer let their guard down . Not even at the debut.
