Day4. A special Mixed event for Sofia Araújo: “With my brother for the most important medal”

The understanding is natural, both on and off the court. After all, they are siblings who share the same passion and the same sporting commitment, both as professionals. For Sofia and Pedro Araújo, their debut in the Mixed event at the XX Mediterranean Games — a 6-2 6-2 win over Cyprus’ Kyratzis/Siopacha — turned into an emotional first appearance. Portugal is no stranger to being represented by siblings — Nuno and Miguel Deus are also in action in the men’s draw in Taranto — but for Sofia and ‘Peu’, this event represents their first real test as a pair at such a high level.

 

“Playing with your family is a unique feeling, and doing it for your country makes it even more special,” says Sofia. The tournament also has a special technical significance for her: her eighth place in the world rankings makes her the player with the highest FIP Ranking at the entire event. “There couldn’t have been a better competition to take to the court with my brother.” The enthusiasm is shared by 26-year-old Pedro: “I’ve played with many partners, but playing alongside my sister is something special, both because of the quality she brings and because of the deep bond between us. Representing Portugal together makes the feeling unique.”

 

As the number 1 seeds in the Mixed draw, expectations are high, but Sofia is not worried about the responsibility. “I don’t feel any pressure. We came here to try to win the most important medal. We know there are some very tough pairs, but whether you are the number 1, 2 or 3 seed makes no difference: the goal remains the same.” Pedro is counting on their deep understanding of each other: “I watch my sister play a lot and I know her very well on court too, and that helps a lot. Winning a medal with her would be incredible. That’s our goal and we hope we can achieve it.”

 

Naturally, being siblings brings a delicate balance between complicity and frankness. “There are positive and negative sides,” Sofia concludes with a smile. “There’s a huge amount of chemistry between us, but we also know each other so well that sometimes we end up saying things to each other that two players normally wouldn’t. But in the end, it’s an added value, and that’s what matters most.” There is no doubt about the adjective they would use to describe each other: “The best” for Sofia, “The best, without a doubt” for Pedro.

 

GREECE THROUGH Alongside Portugal, Greece have also advanced to the semi-finals of the Mixed event. On Tuesday morning, Pavlos-Louis Balafas and Christina Styliani Ntanou produced a surprise by defeating the number 4 seeds, Tunisia’s Dora Chamli and Mehdi Elloumi, 6-4 7-5. A historic result sends the Greek pair into Thursday’s semi-final, where they will face the Araújo siblings. The quarter-finals will be completed tomorrow, with France’s Louise Bahurel/Dylan Guichard taking on Slovenia’s Simon Javoršek and Tina Lah, while Italy’s Giulia Dal Pozzo/Marco Cassetta will face Kosovo’s Lavdrim Krasniqi and Donika Bashota.