The Padel ‘Clásico’ will be the perfect finale to 2025

With a place in the final match of the season at stake — and the world No. 1s Arturo Coello and Agustín Tapia already waiting — the No. 2 pair Alejandro Galán and Federico Chingotto faced the No. 6 duo Paquito Navarro and Jon Sanz in one of the most anticipated clashes of the Qatar Airways Premier Padel Finals. It was their third meeting of the season, and the reward could not have been more enticing.

Galán and Chingotto made their favouritism count early. Holding a 2-0 head-to-head advantage coming into the match, they dominated the opening set with an inspired backhand in the finishing phases and relentless pressure on return, constantly unsettling their opponents. The first break took them to 3-2, the second to 5-2 and serve. They did not miss. Converting two of five break-point opportunities and conceding none, they struck the first blow.

Navarro and Sanz responded with an outstanding start to the second set, securing an early break that pulled them firmly back into the contest. But Chingotto and Galán had other plans. Producing a superb display — 27 winners and just nine unforced errors — they quickly erased the deficit before striking again on return to move ahead 4-3 with serve, putting control of the match firmly back in their hands.

They would not let the opportunity slip. Closing out the match, Galán and Chingotto booked their place in Sunday’s final, ensuring that the season ends in the most fitting way possible after 11 months of competition: a showdown between the No. 1 and No. 2 pairs in the world.

It will be the 14th final between these two teams this season and the 29th meeting overall, as the two duos that have defined the race for world No. 1 throughout the year face off one last time. The Tour Finals will crown new champions, with Tapia and Coello or Galán and Chingotto set to take over from last year’s winners Jon Sanz and Coki Nieto.

Speaking after the match, Chingotto promised to give everything in the final:

“If I usually empty the tank, tomorrow it will be double. It’s the last match of the season, and I want to give the team the perfect finishing touch — they deserve it.”

Galán, meanwhile, hinted at their possible tactical approach should they win the toss:

“We usually like to start by returning, to feel the ball before our service games, which are the most important. It also gives us the chance to start with a break.”

One last match. One final chapter. And a Clásico to crown the 2025 season.