Alejandro Galán dropped to his knees in Kuwait, not in defeat, but in triumph. Alongside him, Federico Chingotto leapt into his arms, celebrating a comeback that will be remembered as one of the most dramatic in padel history. After losing the first set to world number ones Arturo Coello and Agustín Tapia, the Spanish-Argentine duo turned the match around with grit, precision, and belief.
“Last year they were clearly ahead of us, but this year we feel we’re at a higher level,” Galán had said after the semifinal. That confidence proved prophetic. With the win, Chingotto and Galán closed the gap in the Race to Barcelona to just 680 points, keeping the battle for the top ranking alive heading into the final stretch of the season.
From early dominance to a shift in momentum
The final began with Coello and Tapia in full control, taking the first set 6-2 in just 27 minutes. Their aggressive start seemed to signal a quick finish. But the break between sets changed everything. Chingotto and Galán returned with renewed focus, capitalizing on their only break point at 5-5 to take the second set 7-5. Their efficiency stood out: they converted 50% of their break points, while their opponents managed just 16%.
In the third set, the momentum was entirely theirs. Galán controlled the baseline, Chingotto chased down every ball, and Coello and Tapia began to falter. A stunning recovery by Chingotto at 5-2 and a final net error by Tapia sealed the match. The Kuwait Arena erupted as the new world champions embraced in tears and celebration.
Ari and Paula continue their reign with a third straight title
On the women’s side, Ari Sánchez and Paula Josemaría delivered another masterclass, defeating Gemma Triay and Delfi Brea 6-3, 6-3 to win their third consecutive title. Their victory at the FIP World Cup Pairs not only added 2,000 points to their ranking but also brought them within 1,510 points of the top spot, with two major events still to come.
The final was intense from the start, featuring nine breaks in total. Ari and Paula’s control of the tempo and tactical execution proved too much for their opponents. Their ability to shift gears and dictate play was evident throughout the match.
Tactical brilliance and unmatched chemistry
Ari Sánchez was relentless from the baseline, while Paula Josemaría’s court awareness and timing disrupted every attempt by Triay and Brea to mount a comeback. The turning point came at 2-2 in the second set, when Ari and Paula broke serve and never looked back. They closed out the match with another 6-3 set, leaving no doubt about their superiority.
Although Triay and Brea still lead the head-to-head record, the margin is narrowing. The current tally stands at 7-2 in matches, 15-9 in sets, and 118-104 in games, signaling a rivalry that is becoming increasingly balanced.
A defining night in Kuwait for world padel
The FIP World Cup Pairs in Kuwait delivered two defining performances. For Chingotto and Galán, it was a breakthrough that reignites their pursuit of the number one spot. For Ari and Paula, it was a reaffirmation of their dominance and a step closer to ending the year as the undisputed leaders of the women’s game.
