Triay-Brea again. The Queens fly to the final

A month after Milan, the world’s number ones are back at full speed. Gemma Triay and Delfi Brea reach the final of the FIP World Cup Pairs, their 14th final in their first season together. They got here without dropping a single set, although today — against Sofia Araújo and Andrea Ustero — it took a tie-break to close a match that after the first set seemed already decided.

DECISIVE TIE-BREAK The top seeds started off lightning-fast, taking the first set 6-1 in just 24 minutes on the Central Court BNK at Arena Kuwait. After an early break in the second game, Gemma and Delfi imposed physical intensity and controlled the game, with Triay’s aggressive attacking and Brea covering the back of the court. A storm that the fourth seeds managed to counter in the early part of the second set, limiting errors and playing more freely. Araújo’s power and Ustero’s regained confidence pushed the score to 4-1, but the world number ones fought back to 5-all, setting up a tie-break that came down to the details and was won by Brea-Triay on their first match point after saving two set points.

STAYING CALM “I got a bit blocked and made a few mistakes,” Triay explained after the match. “Then we improved our lobs and got back to our game. The break during P2 in Egypt definitely helped us; in Milan we were both at our limits. Last week we trained really well, and I think it shows.” Now it’s time to think about the final, and Brea doesn’t hide her preferences: “I won’t lie, I hope Ortega and Icardo win,” she jokes. “But really, we’re just focusing on tomorrow’s match, enjoying the moment calmly. It’s going to be amazing, no matter who we face.”