Premier Padel makes its South African debut: Fernandez and Calvo, first time as a pair, Coello and Tapia chase a sixth consecutive title

Before the summer break, the calendar features two historic firsts: Premier Padel has never before staged a tournament in either South Africa or the United Kingdom. First Pretoria, then London, for two consecutive P1 events that will bring padel and the world’s best players to two new countries. The action begins at the SunBet Arena, located around 1,300 metres above sea level, with the tournament also providing local pairs – awarded wild cards by the organisers – the opportunity to make their debut on the professional circuit. As with all P1 events,the men’s draw will feature 48 pairs, with Arturo Coello and Agustin Tapia aiming for a sixth consecutive title after their triumphs in Rome, Valencia, Valladolid, Bordeaux and Malaga. The women’s draw will include 28 pairs competing for the title, although Ari Sanchez and Andrea Ustero, as in Malaga, will not be in the field. There is considerable anticipation, however, for the debut of Claudia Fernandez and Martina Calvo as a partnership in their first tournament together. Marta Ortega and Sofia Araujo, winners of two titles in 2024, will also reunite.MEN A new partnership, Gonza Alfonso and Tino Libaak, could also be on the path of Coello and Tapia. The two Argentines will face South Africans Egmond Van Heerden and Jason Blakey Milner in the opening round. In the bottom half of the draw, Fede Chingotto and Ale Galan will begin their campaign against either brothers Nuno and Miguel Deus or Juani Rubini and Maxi Sanchez. Also making their debut together among the seeded pairs are Javi Garcia and Alex Ruiz (12), Juanlu Esbri and Sanyo Gutierrez (13), Javi Barahona and Alex Chozas (14), and Jos Jimenez and Alex Arroyo (16). Potential quarter-finals: Coello/Tapia (1)-Nieto/Sanz (6), Leal/Guerrero (7)-Lebron/Augsburger (3), Stupaczuk/Yanguas (4)-Di Nenno/Navarro (5), Gonzalez/Campagnolo (8)-Chingotto/Galan (2).WOMEN After returning to winning ways in Malaga, Delfi Brea and Gemma Triay will begin against either Giulia Dal Pozzo and Nuria Rodriguez or Noa Canovas and Laia Rodriguez. Paula Josemaria and Bea Gonzalez headline the bottom half of the draw and will open their campaign against either Sofia Saiz and Lucia Sainz or Marta Talavan and Jessica Castelló. Potential quarter-finals: Brea/Triay (1)-Icardo/Jensen (6), Salazar/Osoro (8)-Ortega/Araujo (5), Fernandez/Calvo (4)-Velasco/Virseda (9), Guinart/Alonso (7)-Josemaria/Gonzalez (2).