Day 3 women’s: Portugal and Italy fly through, quarter-finals start on Tuesday

Two identical victories and the same confidence on debut, setting up a quarter-final that promises fireworks. Day 3 of the women’s draw at the Mediterranean Games in Taranto followed the same script on the Central Court at Parco Mediterraneo Salinella — where the number 1 seeds Sofia Araujo and Ana Nogueira were in action — and on Court 2, where Giulia Dal Pozzo and Carlotta Casali (5) enjoyed the full support and applause of the passionate home crowd. A 6-0 6-0 win for the Portuguese pair against Türkiye’s Kocak/Polat, with Italy’s Dal Pozzo/Casali producing the same score against Cyprus’ Savva/Siopacha. Their head-to-head clash on Wednesday will be a crucial step towards the medals and another chapter in the exciting Araujo-Dal Pozzo rivalry, with the two already having starred in showdowns on the Premier Padel Tour this year.

 

Dal Pozzo’s partner Nuria Rodriguez also booked her place in the quarter-finals. Just before her own debut, she watched Giulia’s opening match at the Games from the stands. Then, playing alongside Jimena Velasco — with both making their debut for the senior national team — she defeated Croatia’s Balog/Jurkovic 6-2 6-0. Their quarter-final will be against France’s Steffi Merah and Charlotte Soubrie, who advanced with a 6-1 6-1 victory over Kosovo’s Bashota/Lekaj.

 

TUESDAY’S PROGRAMME Meanwhile, the quarter-finals will begin tomorrow with the players from the bottom half of the draw. At 17 CEST on the Central Court, Lucia Sainz and Patty Llaguno (2) will face Tunisia’s Dora Chamli and Nour Allani (7), while on Court 2 Carolina Orsi and Giorgia Marchetti will take on France’s Lucile Pothier and Louise Bahurel (6).