Coello-Tapia cruising, now it’s the “Chingalán”’s turn

At the end of the month their paths will diverge, but today they shone again. Juan Lebron and Franco Stupaczuk got off to a strong start in their pursuit of the world title: in the afternoon at the Arena Kuwait for the FIP World Cup Pairs, it took just over an hour to beat Pablo Lijó and Maxi Arce (6-4 6-2) and secure a spot in the round of 16, where on Thursday they will face Pol Hernandez and Guille Collado, another unseeded pair — after Gala/Garcia and Rubini/Rodriguez earlier in the day — who advanced on Day2. Another highly anticipated debut was Arturo Coello and Agustín Tapia, chasing their eleventh title of the season and looking to cement their status beyond their ranking: Lucho Capra and Aimar Goñi’s great second set wasn’t enough, as Arturo and “Agus” closed the match 6-1, 7-5 in one of the day’s most awaited clashes.

Meanwhile, the most anticipated stars for Wednesday are Ale Galán and Fede Chingotto: after winning two consecutive titles in Milan and Newgiza, the tournament’s number two seeds will play the last match on the Central Court BNK not before 8 PM local time against Maxi Sanchez and Xisco Gil. Earlier in the day, Jon Sanz and Paquito Navarro (6) will face Diestro/Ruiz, while Coki Nieto and Mike Yanguas (4) will return to the court shortly after lunch (not before 2 PM) against Torre/Cepero.

WOMEN’S STARS The top seeds in the women’s draw are also highly anticipated. The day on the Central Court opens at 12 PM with Ale Salazar and Martina Calvo (7), finalists in Egypt, against Lara Arruabarrena and Julieta Bidahorria. At the same time, Ale Alonso and Claudia Jensen (6) will debut against Casali/Cañellas, while Marta Ortega and Tamara Icardo (5) will face Marchetti/Godallier.