Qualifiers kick off. Here are the pairs competing for a spot in the world main draw

Twenty-four pairs are in the men’s draw and sixteen in the women’s. All are chasing a place in the main draw of the first-ever FIP World Cup Pairs, taking place from November 3 to 9 in Kuwait. The qualifiers start on Saturday, November 1 for the men, with the women playing the next day, in the competition that will award the world title for pairs in this historic inaugural edition.

In the men’s draw, top seeds Mario Ortega and Mario Huete stand out; they start from the second round against the winners of Figuerola/Belmont vs Guerrero/Varo. Keep an eye on Luciano Capra and Aimar Goñi (3), just behind young Manuel Castaño (born 2008) with Flavio Abbate (2), who comes off a bronze medal at last week’s FIP Euro Padel Cup. Also competing are Miguel Lamperti with Alejandro Jerez (4), Clement Geens/Nacho Moragues (5), and Diego Gil with Jose Rico (6).

The women’s draw kicks off with 16-year-old Claudia Ordoñez, who, after making the main draw at the NewGiza P2, returns to the court with Candela Lucendo against Alba Perez and Lorena Vano (1). Nati Lopez and Rebeca Lopez (2) face Metwally/Azocoitia in the first round, while Anna Ortiz and Camila Fassio (3) take on wild cards Hasan/Sanchez.