Day 2: Spain, Italy, Portugal and France, a brilliant debut for Taranto’s stars

They were the most eagerly awaited teams, and they lived up to expectations. Spain, Italy, Portugal and France have made the perfect start to their Mediterranean Games campaigns, warming up for the match-ups that will animate Parco del Mediterraneo Salinella in Taranto over the coming days. In the men’s event, José Diestro and David Gala began their campaign with a 6-1 6-1 victory over Tunisia’s Helloumi-Helali. Today, they were also involved in a special mini-match with Italian Sports Minister Andrea Abodi, who attended the training session of the Spanish men’s team. For the number 2 seeds, a quarter-final to look forward to is coming up — scheduled for Tuesday or Wednesday — against Portugal’s Pedro Araujo and Pedro Graça, who defeated Slovenia’s Repanšek/Javoršek. The other Portuguese pair also impressed, with Miguel and Nuno Deus defeating another pair of brothers, Kosovo’s Leotrim and Lavdrim Krasniqi. A winning debut also for France’s Yoan Boronad and Timeo Fonteny, who beat Egypt’s Aboulkassem/Nasr 6-4 6-4.

 

On Monday, with the afternoon session starting at 17:00 CEST, the other top players will make their debut. Among them will be the number 1 seeds Guille Collado/Pol Hernandez, as well as Marco Cassetta/Simone Iacovino and Bastien Blanqué/Dylan Guichard.

 

WOMEN A solid debut in the women’s event for the eagerly awaited home favourites Carolina Orsi and Giorgia Marchetti, who did not drop a game against Egypt’s El Halaby/Tawfik. The Italian pair will face France’s Louise Bahurel and Lucile Pothier in the quarter-finals, after the French pair defeated another Egyptian duo, El Nimr/Hakim, 6-2 6-2. The number 2 seeds, Lucia Sainz and Patty Llaguno, also progressed comfortably, winning 6-1 6-0 against Montenegro’s Matjevic/Simonovic. Their next opponents will be Tunisia’s Dora Chamli and Nour Allani, who advanced after beating Slovenia’s Brglez/Lah. Sofia Araujo and Ana Nogueira will make their debut tomorrow afternoon, as will Nuria Rodriguez and Jimena Velasco, while Italy will be represented by Giulia Dal Pozzo and Carlotta Casali.

 

MIXED The first results have also arrived in the mixed draw, with Cyprus’ Sergios Kyratzis/Maria Siopacha and Greece’s Pavlos-Louis Balafas/Christina Styliani Ntanou winning on the opening day. Tomorrow, with play starting at 10:00 CEST, Serbia and Slovenia will meet on the Central Court, while Montenegro will face Kosovo.