Di Nenno–Gonzalez claim first title in Almaty: “We are improving”. Osoro celebrates with Iglesias: “I owed her this”

The smiles of Martin Di Nenno and Momo Gonzalez, along with the determination and enthusiasm of Aranzazu Osoro and Victoria Iglesias, marked the conclusion of the FIP Gold in Almaty, Kazakhstan. The tournament ended with victories for the top-seeded pairs, securing their first titles of 2026 and – in the case of Di Nenno and Gonzalez – their first title together. A valuable success not only for the 150 points in the FIP Ranking, but also for the confidence boost ahead of the next stages of the season.

 

WOMEN In front of a full crowd at Add Padel, the women’s final opened the day and quickly set the tone, with Osoro and Victoria Iglesias establishing control early against Lorena Rufo and Jessica Castelló. After conceding an initial break, the top seeds immediately regained momentum, winning five consecutive games before a slight dip, before closing the first set 6-3. Rufo and Castelló improved in the second set, but once again the early break secured by Iglesias/Osoro proved decisive, as they maintained the advantage through to the final 6-4 – with Osoro leading the charge – to seal the title. For the Spanish-Argentine pair, it is their third title together on the CUPRA FIP Tour, following the FIP Silver in Turin and the FIP Platinum in Veracruz last year.

 

“It was a very important tournament for us,” said Osoro. “I was coming back from an injury and my feelings were not at their best. Having a partner like mine, who had no hesitation in skipping tournaments to wait for me while I recovered and returned to full fitness, was fundamental. I told her yesterday: ‘I will repay you, I owe you this,’ and I believe I delivered one of my best performances. I am truly happy.” Iglesias also celebrated alongside her partner: “The truth is that today we both played a great match. We had missed two tournaments, so this one means even more to us. Now we are eager to keep pushing and aim for the next title.”

 

MEN The embrace at centre court and raised arms told the story of the final for Martin Di Nenno and Momo Gonzalez, who, after their high-level semi-final against Curro Cabeza and Mariano Gonzalez, also prevailed in the final against the “unconventional pair” formed by two left-court players. Javi Leal and Pablo Lijó nonetheless delivered a strong tournament, showing adaptability, with Leal performing effectively on the right and Lijó maintaining balance. Against a well-established pair, however, the decisive margin came early, with the top seeds taking the first set 6-2 and maintaining control in the second to close the match 6-3 in just over an hour.

 

“I am very happy with how we played; I think it was our best match of the year,” said Momo. “Against Javi and Pablo it was unusual, as they both usually play on the left, but I believe we performed very well today. Our defence was outstanding, and that was the key to the match.” A victory that also builds confidence for the future: “Yes, absolutely,” Gonzalez confirmed. “For us it was very important to win or at least compete at our best level. Winning brings points and that is positive, but the confidence with which we played throughout the tournament is just as important. Step by step, we are improving as a pair, and I believe that progress is visible.”

 

The same sentiment was shared by Di Nenno: “We arrived at this tournament fully focused, seeing it as a great opportunity. It is a victory we will celebrate. Not only for the ranking points, which are very important, but also because, so to speak, there is now less pressure on the pair. Ultimately, every athlete competes to win: claiming any tournament is essential. It builds confidence and makes you feel that, for a few days or a week, you were the best. You feel like the best. So,” he concluded, “we return home with a smile and we are very happy. We have a week to continue training, and then we will head to Egypt and Brussels, hopefully carrying this same momentum and confidence.”