Stars shine at the Arena Kuwait and move into the quarter-finals

When the best players in the world step on court, the show is guaranteed. And that’s exactly what happened at the BNK Central Court in the Arena Kuwait, where padel stars – from Gemma Triay and Delfi Brea to Juan Lebrón and Franco Stupaczuk – lit up the Round of 16 at the FIP World Cup Pairs. Triay and Brea opened the day, returning to competition a month after Milano P1. The break didn’t affect their form: the top-seeded pair cruised past Bea Caldera and Carmen Goenaga with a solid double 6-2. Gemma and Delfi will also open Friday’s quarter-final programme (at 2 p.m. local time) against Ale Alonso and Claudia Jensen, who earlier defeated Jessica Castelló and Lorena Rufo 6-3 6-2.

For Paula Josemaría and Ari Sánchez, the start was more complicated. They had to fight back against Patty Llaguno and Martina Fassio, who played a fantastic match. In only their second tournament together – after winning the FIP Silver in Dubai – Llaguno and Fassio took the first set 6-2. But the No.2 seeds turned it around, saving two break points at 5-all in the second before sealing it 7-5 and dominating the third 6-3. Tomorrow they’ll face Marina Guinart and Veronica Virseda (6-3 6-1 over Orsi/Martinez), while Claudia Fernandez and Bea Gonzalez (6-4 7-6 against Canovas/Rodriguez) will meet Marta Ortega and Tamara Icardo, who were unstoppable today with a 6-0 6-1 win over Aguilar/Navarro. Ale Salazar and Martina Calvo dropped just two games (6-0 6-2 vs Sainz/Eugenio) and will now take on Andrea Ustero and Sofia Araujo (6-2 6-3 vs Barrera/Velasco).

MEN After the wins of Nieto/Yanguas and the surprise duo Gala/Garcia – who will face each other tomorrow at 2 p.m. on Alghanim Court – the top-ranked players didn’t disappoint. In a star-studded afternoon on the Central Court, Arturo Coello and Agustin Tapia won 6-3 6-1 over Ruiz/Esbri and now await Momo Gonzalez and Fran Guerrero, who came back to beat Garrido/Campagnolo 6-7 6-2 6-2. Fede Chingotto and Ale Galan also showed no hesitation, beating Goenaga/Hernandez 6-2 6-4 to set up a quarter-final clash with Tolito Aguirre and Alex Chozas. To close a memorable day, Juan Lebrón and Franco Stupaczuk delivered a commanding 6-0 6-2 win over Collado/Hernandez. Tomorrow, “El Lobo” and the Argentine will once again close the day’s programme on the BNK Central Court, not before 8 p.m., facing Jon Sanz and Paquito Navarro.