Ruiz and Moya spring a surprise in Perugia. Italian derby between Orsi and Casali in the women’s quarters

PERUGIA – Two hours of high-intensity padel brought a spectacular day to a close. Javi Ruiz and Jesus Moya pulled off the upset of the day at the FIP Gold Mediolanum Padel Cup in Perugia, beating the number 7 seeds, Javi Garrido and Juani De Pascual, in three sets (6-2 2-6 6-4) in front of a packed crowd at the Padel Arena. They showed great composure at the key moments to book their place in Saturday’s quarter-finals, where they will face Juanlu Esbrí and Iñigo Jofre (3). The latter also came through a thrilling match, defeating the young Santino Contreras and Curro Cabeza 6-3 6-7 7-6.

 

All the other seeded pairs in the men’s draw also made it through to Day 3, starting with Jairo Bautista and Lucas Bergamini, who beat Morales/Varo 5-7 6-1 7-6. The number 1 seeds will face Javi Barahona and Maxi Sanchez Blasco in the first match of the afternoon session, scheduled for 16 local time. Barahona and Sanchez Blasco also came from behind to beat Martinez/Galli 6-7 6-2 7-6. Alex Ruiz and Javi Garcia (2) claimed a hard-fought two-set win and, after getting past Iriart/Salandro, will now take on Sanyo Gutierrez and Alex Chozas, who advanced with a 6-4 6-3 win over Cepero/Sager. Alex Arroyo and Jose Jimenez (4) also progressed after beating Munoz/Huete 6-2 6-4; their next opponents will be Nacho Piotto and Juani Rubini.

 

WOMEN The number 1 seeds, Veronica Virseda and Martina Fassio, made a comfortable start in the women’s draw, dropping just two games against Coppola/Livioni. Italy’s home favourites Carolina Orsi and Giulia Dal Pozzo also recorded convincing wins. Orsi and her partner Patty Llaguno will now face fellow Italian Carlotta Casali, who is playing alongside Nerea Guerra, in an all-Italian quarter-final. Dal Pozzo and Nuria Rodriguez, meanwhile, will take on Caterina Baldi and Clarissa Aima in the match that opens Saturday’s programme at 12 local time. Raquel Eugenio and Jimena Velasco will also be in the spotlight as they prepare to face Giorgia Rosi and Maria Delgado. Saturday and Sunday’s matches on the Central Court will be streamed live on the FIP YouTube channel.