Day5. Three confirmations and one new pair in the first finals of 2026: Ustero and Sánchez chase the title

The usual Duellists are back. Arturo Coello and Agustin Tapia, Fede Chingotto and Ale Galan. Seasons may change, but in the men’s draw the battle between the world’s top four players remains the same. The twist from the Riyadh Season P1 semifinals came in the women’s event, where changes reshaped the top-seeded pairs — all but the No. 1 team. Delfi Brea and Gemma Triay picked up right where they left off, while Andrea Ustero and Ari Sanchez are dreaming of lifting the trophy at the first attempt.

 

MEN Twenty-one of the 24 titles in 2025 — including the FIP World Cup Pairs — were contested between Coello/Tapia and Chingotto/Galán. The same storyline will unfold at the Padel Rush Arena, where Coello and Tapia triumphed 12 months ago, and where Galán also tasted victory in 2024 alongside Juan Lebrón. The first semifinal was a dominant display from Chingotto and Galán, who needed just 58 minutes to dispatch Paquito Navarro and Fran Guerrero 6-1, 6-2, capping off an impressive tournament for their opponents. Coello and Tapia, meanwhile, survived a fierce battle against Juan Lebrón and Leo Augsburger, edging a 7-6, 6-7, 6-4 victory after two hours and eight minutes.

 

WOMEN The women’s final will open the day at 3:00 p.m. local time in Riyadh (1:00 p.m. CET). Brea and Triay, winners of nine titles last season, were pushed to the limit in a two-hour, 25-minute semifinal before overcoming Claudia Fernández and Sofia Araújo 7-5, 5-7, 6-3. Ustero and Sánchez, by contrast, secured their place in the final in straight sets against Tamara Icardo and Claudia Jensen. Last year in Bordeaux, at just 18 years, one month and 24 days old, Ustero became the youngest champion in the Premier Padel circuit, partnering Araújo. In Riyadh, she is chasing her second career title — and the first of her new era alongside Ari Sánchez.