Portugal, Rubio and Ruiz aim for victory

The FIP Silver Vila Real de Santo António in Portugal will provide the stage for more than 18 top-100 players in the FIP Ranking, across both men’s and women’s draws. The favourites for the men’s title are Gonzalo Rubio (41) and Javi Ruiz (42). This season, Rubio has claimed titles at the FIP Silver in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and the FIP Bronze in Mumbai, India. Ruiz, meanwhile, is aiming to secure his first title of the year on the CUPRA FIP Tour. Also competing is Nacho Vilariño (64), who partnered Rubio to victory in Mumbai; on this occasion, he will return to the court alongside Mario Del Castillo (58), with whom he won the FIP Silver in Parma and the FIP Bronze in Doha. The number two seeds in Portugal are Bahrain FIP Bronze winner Aris Patiniotis (73) and Javi Martinez (53), who reached the round of 16 in Gijón (P2) and the quarter-finals in Riyadh (P1) on the Premier Padel circuit. Another pair in contention for the title is Manu Castaño (77) and Xisco Gil (51). Also entered are brothers Álvaro and Pedro Meléndez, as well as Portuguese players Pedro Graça and Pedro Araujo.

Following their victory at last week’s FIP Silver in Gran Canaria, Raquel Eugenio (23) and Martina Fassio (24) are aiming to claim the title in Portugal as well. In 2026, the pair also triumphed together at the FIP Silver in Nola, while Eugenio, alongside Lucía Sainz, secured two further titles: the FIP Platinum in Marseille and the FIP Silver in Parma. Challenging them for the title is a duo arriving fresh from victory at the FIP Silver in Cyprus: Marta Barrera (27) and Jimena Velasco (28). They are seeking their third title of the year, having also been crowned champions at the FIP Silver in Mumbai in April. Also among the leading contenders are Mónica Gómez Rivas and Claudia Escacena, winners of three FIP Bronze titles in March, as well as Ana Nogueira and Laura Luján.