Yesterday, April 17th, intense and exciting matches took place in the quarterfinals of the MAJOR in Doha, Qatar, both in the women’s and men’s draws, with great surprises and victories from the favorite pairs.
Women’s Draw: Dominance of the Favorites and Surprises
In the women’s draw, the big favorites, Ari Sánchez and Paula Josemaría, showed why they are the most dominant couple on the circuit. The Spanish duo comfortably won their quarterfinal match, taking it in two sets (7-5, 6-1) against Icardo and Jensen. Sánchez and Josemaría’s game was solid and consistent, leaving no room for surprises, as is typical for them.
On the other hand, Brea and Triay also lived up to their favorite status, claiming a victory in two sets (6-2, 7-5) over Caldera and Goenaga.
However, the big headline of the day was the surprise from Alejandra Salazar and Vero Virseda. In a very tough and exciting match, they managed to defeat the number 4 pair, Sofía Araújo and Marta Ortega, in a duel that was decided in three sets (2-6, 6-2, 6-4). Despite a challenging first set, Salazar and Virseda showed their experience and skill to come back, achieving an epic victory against a very competitive pair.
Men’s Draw: The Revenge of the Numbers 1 and Other Thrilling Matches
The men’s draw was just as thrilling. One of the most anticipated matches of the day was the clash between the number 1s, Tapia and Coello, and Cardona and Augsburger. This match had a special component, as Arturo and Agus arrived with a chip on their shoulder after their loss at the P1 in Chile. In this rematch, the number 1s prevailed confidently 6-4, 6-4, thanks to their ability to capitalize on break opportunities at the end of each set. It was a very tight match, but the experience and high level of Coello and Tapia ultimately decided the outcome.
On the other hand, the match between Chingotto and Galán was a bit more straightforward. The number 2s imposed their rhythm from the start, although Alonso and Arroyo made it tough and fought hard in the second set, they couldn’t avoid defeat, with the final score 6-1, 6-4.
In a very evenly matched and emotional duel, Nieto and Yanguas pulled off an important win against González and Sanz. It was an incredibly balanced match that was tight in every game and could have gone either way. However, in the end, the pair of Yanguas and Coki showed more solidity in the key moments and managed to win 7-6, 4-6, 5-7, securing their spot in the semifinals.
Lastly, the match between Paquito Navarro and Bergamini versus Garrido and Di Nenno was another one of those unpredictable and emotional duels that help grow the sport’s fanbase. After winning the first set 6-4, Di Nenno and Garrido proved they weren’t ready for it to be their last match together as a pair and managed to even the score by taking the second set 6-4. But in the end, Paquito and Lucas claimed the victory, with Paquito continuing to demonstrate his incredible ability to react under pressure.
Semifinals That Promise Excitement
The semifinals of the MAJOR in Doha are shaping up to be more exciting than ever. In the women’s draw, favorites like Sánchez-Josemaría and Brea-Triay remain strong, while the surprising victory of Salazar-Virseda adds an element of uncertainty to the title race.
In the men’s, the revenge of the number 1s, the consistency of Chingotto and Galán, and the great form of Paquito and Bergamini ensure that the next few days will be full of high intensity. Don’t miss the semifinals and follow all the action of this thrilling tournament at PADEL RED!