From Ruiz-Garcia to Sanchez-Capra: star line-up in São João da Madeira

SÃO JOÃO DA MADEIRA – Portugal is preparing to host a tournament featuring a strong line-up of competitive pairs. Leading the draw are Alex Ruiz and Javi Garcia, ranked No. 24 and No. 22 respectively in the FIP Ranking. The pair reach the tournament after making the round of 16 at the Paris Major Premier Padel and Madrid P1. The FIP Silver São João da Madeira will be the stage on which Garcia will attempt to claim the 15th title of his CUPRA FIP Tour career. Also competing in Portugal is a historic padel pairing: Maxi Sanchez and Lucho Capra (2). The latter came close to claiming a title on the circuit in April 2026, at the FIP Bronze in Houten. On that occasion, he was defeated in the final by Javi Garcia, who is on the opposite side of the draw here. Also in contention are Coquito Zamora and Marc Sintes (3), who won the FIP Silver in Espoo together at the end of August. Among the entries are also Jose Solano-Ramiro Pereyra and Portuguese brothers Nuno and Miguel Deus.

The women’s draw is led by the pairing of Ariadna Cañellas and Laura Luján. The former has already won two titles in Europe this year, at the FIP Bronze events in Alicante and Madeira, while the latter claimed victory at the FIP Silver in Abidjan and the FIP Bronze in Eidsvoll in 2026. The No. 1 seeds are in the top half of the draw, alongside Marta Arellano-Marina Lobo (4). On the opposite side are Marta Borrero-Teresa Navarro (2) and Camila Fassio-Amanda Lopez (3). The main draw of the tournament will begin on Friday 25 September and conclude on Sunday 27, when the semi-finals and finals will be played.