Baku, Rubio-Vilariño target second triumph of the year together

Winning their second title of 2026 together is the objective that brings Nacho Vilariño and Gonzalo Rubio to the FIP Bronze Baku II. The two players have already lifted a trophy this season, winning the FIP Bronze Mumbai in India. Their main challengers for the title are Spain’s Tonet Sans and Portugal’s Gustavo Nunes, who were already finalists at the FIP Bronze Baku in March 2026. Also among the leading contenders are Juan Pablo Dametto and Felipe Calleja: the two Argentinians have won the FIP Bronze Chile III and Abu Dhabi titles this year. The entry list also includes Andres Fernandez Lancha and Kamal Huseynov. The tournament’s main draw will begin on Friday 3 July and conclude on Sunday 5 July, when the semi-finals and final will be played.

The favourites for the title in Azerbaijan are the No.1 seeds, Daria Kucheriavaia and Barbara Las Heras. The pair won the FIP Bronze Abu Dhabi held at the end of May. Las Heras also reached an impressive round of 16 at the Premier Padel P1 Valencia this season. Also among the players to watch are Patri Ribeiro, the recent finalist of the FIP Bronze Yogyakarta, and Dora Andrejszki. Other pairs to follow include Patricia Araus-Polina Yumasheva and Costanca Gorito-Steffi Merah.