President of the Qatar Tennis Squash and Badminton Federation (QTSBF) Nasser Al Khelaifi, QTSBF Secretary-General Tariq Zainal and other officials pose for a picture with Spain's men team
Doha: World No.1 Alejandro Galan and Juan Lebron yesterday staged an outstanding performance as Spain clinched both men and women’s teams titles at the Ooredoo Qatar Padel World Championship, yesterday.
At the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex in Doha, Galan and Lebron beat their Argentinean counterparts Martin Di Nenno / Fernando Belasteguin 6-2, 3-6, 7-5 in the men’s final what was the longest match in the entire tournament, in two hours and 25 minutes, sending hundreds of Spain fans into raptures.
Earlier, Francisco Navarro and Arturo Coello had beaten Carlos Gutierrez / Agustin Tapia 6-1, 7-5 to give Spain 1-0 advantage in the men’s final which took place in the presence of the Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.
The Doha title win is Spain’s fourth in the history in men’s field. Also yesterday, Brazil blanked France 3-0 to win the third place in Doha.
Spain's women team celebrates with the trophy.
Earlier, in the women’s final, World No.2 Alejandra Salazar and Gemma Triay led Spain to a 3-0 win over their traditional rivals Argentina to clinch their sixth World title.
Salazar and Triay beat Silvana Campus / Claudia Jensen 6-2, 6-0 in 47 minutes.
Paula Josemaria / Ariana Sanchez made it 2-0 for Spain with a hard fought win (7-6, 2-6, 6-4) in their second game despite a strong fightback from Delfina Brea / Aranzazu Osoro.
In their 13th World Championship final, the Spanish team did not even have to play the third game against the Argentinean pair Virginia Riera/Julieta Bidahorria, handing Marta Ortega/ Patricia Llaguno a default win. Italy clinched the third place after beating France 2-1 in the play-off.
Meanwhile, Qatar Tennis, Squash and Badminton Federation (QTSBF) President Nasser Al Khelaifi said he was happy with the success of the tournament as he crowned the winners.
“The tournament is the most successful in the padel’s history. The participants and officials were pleased with Qatar’s hosting of the event. I want to extend my thanks and appreciation to His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani for attending today's final,” Al Khelaifi said.
