Day4. Alonso celebrates a special birthday: another final with Salazar. Stupa-Yanguas vs Gala-Jensen in the men’s draw

Before stepping onto the court for the semi-final of the FIP Platinum Albania, Ale Alonso was presented with a small cake during lunch at the hotel. However, Ale gave herself the best present on the centre court in Skënderbeg Square, reaching her second final in two FIP Platinum tournaments in 2026 alongside Ale Salazar. Ale and Ale did it in remarkable fashion, producing an extraordinary comeback against Aranzazu Osoro and Victoria Iglesias, who had led 6-1 5-3 30-30. Just two points away from the match, however, the number 4 seeds were overtaken by Salazar and Alonso, who managed to win the second set before dominating the third to seal a 1-6 7-6 6-2 victory. Standing between Salazar and Alonso and a title that slipped away in Marseille because of an ankle injury suffered by the player who turned 20 today will be the number 2 seeds Marina Guinart and Veronica Virseda, who ended the run of Nuria Rodriguez and Giulia Dal Pozzo in three sets (4-6 6-3 6-0).

 

MEN David Gala and Enzo Jensen, playing together for the first time, continue to be the biggest surprise of the week in Tirana. After eliminating Coki Nieto and Jon Sanz, followed by Alex Ruiz and Juanlu Esbri, the two 2006-born players also defeated the number 4 seeds Martin Di Nenno (who from next week’s BNL Italy Major Premier Padel in Rome will return to playing alongside Paquito Navarro) and Jairo Bautista with a 6-2 6-4 victory, reaching the most important final of their young careers. Standing on the other side of the net, however, will be the number 1 seeds Franco Stupaczuk and Mike Yanguas, who in the second semi-final defeated Maxi Arce and Alex Arroyo in straight sets (6-4 7-5).

 

It will be another unmissable evening for the crowd in Skënderbeg Square: play will begin at 18.30 with the women’s final, followed not before 20.30 by the men’s final.