Esbri-Jofre celebrate in Perugia: “Happy to have won here”. Virseda and Fassio claim the title in the women’s draw

PERUGIA – The FIP Gold Mediolanum Padel Cup in Perugia came to a spectacular conclusion, with all three sets in the final decided by tie-breaks. Juanlu Esbri and Iñigo Jofre, ranked 21st and 30th respectively in the FIP Ranking, defeated Javi Barahona and Maxi Sanchez Blasco in the final (7-6 6-7 7-6) after more than two and a half hours of play. With the victory, the two champions completed a perfect day: in the semi-finals, they defeated padel legend Sanyo Gutierrez and Alex chozas 7-6 6-4. “I’m happy to have won in Perugia,” said Esbri. “We’re doing a really good job. We’re at the beginning of our journey, but we’re getting on very well together and that is showing on court. Now we have to keep going like this.” Looking ahead to the final part of the year, he added: “The season is still long and there are many tournaments.” The success in Perugia sets the new partnership up for two of the most eagerly anticipated events of the season. Next week, they will compete in the Premier Padel P2 in Düsseldorf, where they will enter the main draw at the round of 32. Then, in mid-October, they will take part in the prestigious P1 in Milan.

 

WOMEN’S Great success for the No. 1 seeds in the women’s draw in Perugia. Veronica Virseda and Martina Fassio, ranked 16th and 24th respectively in the FIP Ranking, were crowned champions in Italy after defeating Raquel Eugenio and Jimena Velasco 6-3 6-3 in the final. Virseda and Fassio secured their place in the title decider by defeating Italy’s Giulia Dal Pozzo and Nuria Rodriguez in three sets (4-6 6-3 6-3). Virseda had already won two other titles on the CUPRA FIP Tour this year, at the FIP Platium Albania and Paredes, in Portugal. “Thank you to the crowd who came to support us; playing in Italy is always fantastic,” said Virseda. On how she manages the pressure, she added: “I no longer think about how many ranking points are at stake, or whether I am a seed. These are psychological mechanisms that distract from the first objective, which is to stay focused and play at our best.” Fassio, who won the FIP Gold in Ponta Delgada this year, also commented on the result: “I would like to thank my family and friends, as well as everyone who came here to support us. We are happy today, but it is never easy to win against two friends like Jimena and Raquel.”