Fernandez and Del Castillo arrive in Nairobi: their eyes are on the title

Texas, Dublin and Mallorca. After winning these titles this season, Antonio ‘Pincho’ Fernandez, No. 58 in the FIP Ranking, is targeting another success, this time at the FIP Silver Nairobi B-Active. Fernandez will partner world No. 66 Mario Del Castillo, winner of the FIP Silver in Parma and the FIP Bronze in Doha in 2026, forming the top-seeded pair in the men’s draw. The Spanish pair Pepe Aliaga-Alvaro Cepero are next in the seeding and are still seeking their first title of the season on the CUPRA FIP Tour. Also in the field is a player looking to claim his seventh title of the year: Marcos Gonzalez Blanco, winner of the FIP Silver events in Wadi, Timisoara, Narbona, Caltanissetta and Bali, as well as the FIP Bronze in London. This time, Gonzalez Blanco will partner Santi Pineda. Gustavo Nunes and Tonet Sans will also be among the players to watch in Nairobi.

 

In the women’s draw, Virginia Riera stands out as the No. 1 seed alongside Julieta Bidahorria at this CUPRA FIP Tour event. Riera, No. 47 in the FIP Ranking, has won five titles this season: the FIP Silver events in Manila, Dubai and Jersey Island, and the FIP Bronze events in Agrigento and Bahrain. The pairs Alba Vazquez-Jimena Diaz and Raquel Piltcher and Christina-Styliani Ntanou will also compete for the title. Home player Safina Madhani will also be in the spotlight, partnering French player Juliette Sirgant.

 

The main draw of the tournament will begin on Thursday 17 September and conclude on Sunday 20 September, when the semi-finals and finals will be played.