World No.1s to fight for their tenth title and first Tour Finals crown

A sold-out Palau Sant Jordi welcomed Saturday’s semifinals at the Qatar Airways Premier Padel Finals, dressed in full gala for one of the standout matches of the day. The world No. 1 pair, Gemma Triay and Delfi Brea, faced the duo behind the most dominant quarter-final win, Andrea Ustero and Sofía Araújo.

The two teams had met five times this season, with all five victories going the way of the pair coached by Rodri Ovide. The opening set gave little indication that this trend would change. From the very first game, Triay and Brea imposed their authority, combining an early break with two more to close the set 6-1. An inspired Delfi Brea was the driving force, striking 10 winners in the opening half-hour.

Ustero and Araújo raised their level significantly in the second set. Despite falling behind early once again, they refused to lose sight of the match. They recovered the break and, at 4-4, created a break opportunity after a series of extended deuce games. Had they converted, they would have served for the set, but the Spanish-Argentine duo stood firm. Instead, at 4-5, Triay and Brea delivered the decisive blow from the return games to seal the match.

The offensive growth of Gemma Triay in the second set proved crucial. She finished the match with 17 winners, helping to neutralise the sharp finishing of Andrea Ustero, who was particularly inspired in that set and ended the match with 15 winners.

With the victory, the world No. 1s claimed their rightful place in the final. On Sunday, Triay and Brea will fight for their first Tour Finals title and look to crown an almost perfect season with a tenth trophy.

In the post-match press conference, Triay praised her partner’s attacking display:

“Today Delfi hit a lot of winners and played very well, so we’ll try to repeat that tomorrow.”

Both players also reflected on securing the No. 1 ranking.

“When you do your work with so much passion and effort and then you achieve it, the satisfaction couldn’t be greater,” Triay said. “The morning I woke up in Mexico as No. 1… it was an immense joy.”

Brea echoed the sentiment:

“It’s a unique feeling. I’m very happy with where I am in my life right now. Everything I went through helped me learn and brought me here.”

One more match remains — and history is within reach.