Day1. Rufo and Iglesias pull off a major upset. World champions return on Wednesday

Nine of the 22 matches went to a third set, two sisters – Camila and Martina Fassio – both claimed victories, and there was plenty of the usual drama. The Premier Padel Dubai P1 got under way with a host of closely contested matches and the return to action of the first players coming back from the FIP World Cup in Doha. Nuno and Miguel Deus (7-6 3-6 7-6), bronze medallists with Portugal, lost to Manuel Castaño and Pol Hernandez after a marathon lasting almost three hours. Julieta Bidahorria and Virginia Riera, runners-up with Argentina, were also eliminated in three sets, losing 1-6 6-1 6-4 to Leti Manquillo and Lucia Sainz in their opening match in Dubai. One of the biggest upsets of the day came from Lorena Rufo and Victoria Iglesias, who defeated number 8 seeds Aranzazu Osoro and Victoria Iglesias in three sets (6-3 2-6 6-2), dealing a blow to their Finals hopes.

 

Wednesday will see the men’s top seeds make their debuts. Following the withdrawal of Fede Chingotto and Ale Galan, Arturo Coello and Agustin Tapia have also pulled out due to an injury to the Argentinian. Coello and Tapia will therefore be replaced by two lucky losers. Castaño and Hernandez will be the first opponents for Juan Lebron and Leo Augsburger, who have now become the highest-ranked seeds in the draw. Wild cards Arnau Ayats and Emilio Chamero will open the week for Franco Stupaczuk and Jon Sanz (3). Coki Nieto, who partnered Coello to secure the decisive point in Spain’s World Cup triumph, will resume his campaign with Mike Yanguas against Marc Sintes and Coquito Zamora, who reached the quarter-finals of the Major in Kuwait. The other world champion, Aimar Goñi, who alongside Lebron secured the first point in Doha’s final against Argentina, will return to action with Edu Alonso against Teo Zapata and Adrian Naranjo. Finally, Paquito Navarro and Martin Di Nenno will take on Manu Aragon and Albert Roglan. Among the women’s world champions, Marta Ortega will also be back in action: alongside Sofia Araujo, Martita will face Anna Ortiz and Maria Laura Ferreyra. All the remaining players will take to the court on Thursday.