Day three of the Doha MAJOR delivered moments of great excitement, intense competition, and a few surprises. Additionally, the wind played a significant role, making many players feel less than comfortable on the court, which added an extra layer of difficulty to the already demanding matches.
Here's a summary of yesterday's highlights:
Epic Comeback from Delfi Brea and Gemma Triay
One of the most spectacular matches of the day pitted Delfi Brea and Gemma Triay against the competitive duo of Guinart and Iglesias. After losing the first set and finding themselves down 3-0 in the second, it seemed like the match was already lost. However, both players displayed their mental and technical fortitude, staging a spectacular comeback to take the match in three sets.
This victory reinforces the high quality of Brea and Triay, who, despite all the complications, managed to recover and demonstrate why they are among the best on the circuit.
Emotion and Fight with Di Nenno and Garrido
The match between Di Nenno and Garrido was a true display of effort. After a very tight first set that they won 7-6 and a loss in the second, they had to fight until the third set to secure the victory.
Di Nenno highlighted that, despite the difficulties, he is regaining his best sensations on the court and expressed his happiness with his performance. Furthermore, this will be the last time they play as a pair, making their participation in this tournament even more special.
Salazar and Virseda Come Back Against Orsi and Rodríguez
Another memorable comeback was that of Salazar and Virseda, who had to battle intensely to overcome Orsi and Rodríguez. After a difficult start (6-1), the two players managed to level the score and win the match in the third set, securing their place in the quarterfinals.
Despite the tough resistance from their rivals and the uncomfortable conditions, the Salazar-Virseda duo showed themselves to be firm and consistent, demonstrating their ability to overcome any obstacle.
Surprise Elimination of "Las Turkis"
One of the most surprising moments was the elimination of "Las Turkis" (Ustero and Alonso), who fell convincingly to Caldera and Goenaga.
Comfortable Wins for Ari and Paula, Coki and Yanguas
The matches went more smoothly for Ari Sánchez and Paula Josemaría, who secured a very comfortable victory in the women's draw, and in the men's draw, Coki Nieto and Álex Yanguas were very strong in advancing to the next round with relative ease.
After the match, Ari Sánchez emphasized that their encounter was almost perfect, a great indicator of their level of play and the confidence they currently have.
Worrying Injuries: Martina Calvo and Araceli Martínez
Unfortunately, the day also brought two sad moments. Martina Calvo and Araceli Martínez were forced to retire from their respective matches due to injuries. From PADEL RED, we hope it's nothing serious and wish them a speedy recovery so they can return to action as soon as possible.
Yesterday's day made it clear that the level of competition at the Doha MAJOR is extremely high, and that any match can bring surprises. Furthermore, the wind proved to be a determining factor in the players' performance. Without a doubt, we are enjoying a spectacular tournament and will be attentive to the upcoming matches. We're eager for today's matches to begin!