XIII South American Games, Day2: Argentina finish top of their groups. Semi-finals get underway

SANTA FE – Eight teams remain in contention and two titles are up for grabs as the padel tournament at the XIII South American Games 2026 in Santa Fe (Argentina) enters its decisive stage. After the first two days dedicated to the group stage, the knockout phase begins today, Thursday 24 September, with the men’s and women’s semi-finals. Host nation Argentina showed its strength by finishing top of both groups. In the next round, it will face pairs from Uruguay (men) and Peru (women). In the other semi-finals, women’s Chile, winners of Group A, will face Ecuador, while in the men’s competition Chile will take on Paraguay. The winners of these matches will meet in the finals scheduled for Friday 25 September, while the losing pairs will play for third place.

 

MEN’S On Day 2, Argentina’s Contreras/Piotto defeated Chile’s Salinas Ordenes/Negrete Oliva in two sets (6-2 6-4) in the match for top spot in the group. After victories over Peru and Bolivia in their first two Group A matches, the ‘Seleccion Albiceleste’ secured top spot with a perfect record. Despite the defeat to Argentina, Chile advance to the knockout stage. In the other Group A match, Ceballos Dorazi/Monges Leon (Peru) defeated Oropeza/Torrelio (Bolivia). Abud/Dehnike (Paraguay) finished top of Group B after defeating the Venezuelan pair on Day 2. Uruguay, represented by Artia Malugani/Ensslin Alves, finished second thanks to their victory over Armijos/Montoya Pinchao (Ecuador).

 

Men’s Semi-final 1: Contreras/Piotto (Argentina) – Artia Malugani/Ensslin Alves (Uruguay)

Men’s Semi-final 2: Salinas Ordenes/Negrete Oliva (Chile) – Abud/Dehnike (Paraguay)

 

WOMEN’S Argentina secured another victory on Day 2. In the final Group B match, home players Milena Vilchez/Mosca defeated Paraguay’s Salsamendi Guggiari/Olga Bareiro. In the other match, which decided second place in the group, Alvarez/Holguin Reyes (Ecuador) defeated Belassi/David De Lima Gonzalez (Uruguay). The ‘Seleccion Albiceleste’ have shown a high level of performance, conceding just eight games to their opponents so far. In Group A, Chile’s Arancibia/Ahumada Carrasco finished top after defeating Bolivia’s Meneses Cuellar/Doria Medina Aviles. Aragones Miro Quesada/Torres Draxl’s victory over Cogorno/Hernandez (Venezuela) secured Peru’s place in the next round.

 

Women’s Semi-final 1: Arancibia/Ahumada Carrasco (Chile) – Alvarez/Holguin Reyes (Ecuador)

Women’s Semi-final 2: Milena Vilchez/Mosca (Argentina) – Aragones Miro Quesada/Torres Draxl (Peru)

 

DAY 3 SCHEDULE The four semi-finals at the XIII South American Games 2026 will be played on Thursday 24 September: two men’s and two women’s matches. The day’s programme begins with the women’s Chile-Ecuador match at 11am local time. Day 3 concludes with the men’s Chile-Paraguay match, scheduled to start no earlier than 5pm local time. The matches will be available to watch on the Odesur YouTube channel.