Melilla, Bautista-Bergamini and Eugenio-Caldera triumph. Seventh title of 2026 for Raquel

More than a year after winning the FIP Silver in Cordoba alongside Edu Alonso, Jairo Bautista has claimed another title, this time at the FIP Gold in Melilla alongside Lucas Bergamini, who had already won a FIP Gold title this year in Abidjan with Javi Garrido. The number 3 seeds Bautista and Bergamini beat top seeds Juan Tello and Maxi Arce 6-1 6-4 in the final. The Spaniard and Brazilian therefore add 150 points to their FIP Race tallies in the battle to qualify for the Finals in Barcelona. Bautista also moves ahead of Arce, although he remains some way off Javi Leal in 16th place. “I’m very happy. I had played in Melilla in the past, and I dedicate this title to my family and to Lucas, with whom I’m playing very well”, said Bautista. “I played here in Melilla many years ago. It’s great to play here, and it was great to put in such a strong performance to win the tournament”, added Bergamini. “The final was extremely tough, but we still managed to show our quality on court”.

 

 

In the women’s FIP Race, Veronica Virseda sits in 16th place. After winning the FIP Gold Mediolanum Padel Cup in Perugia and the FIP Silver in Stratford, she was beaten in the final of the FIP Gold in Melilla. Partnering Martina Fassio, the number 1 seeds lost 6-3 6-4 to Raquel Eugenio and Bea Caldera. “It’s always difficult to play against a friend”, admitted Eugenio, who previously partnered Fassio. “But as far as the final is concerned, I think it was a great match”. “We’re very happy to be playing together, and victories like this give us confidence for the coming weeks”, added Caldera. It is the seventh CUPRA FIP Tour title of an outstanding 2026 for Eugenio, and her second FIP Gold after the one in São Paulo, adding to her FIP Platinum title in Marseille and four FIP Silver victories.

 

The stars of the FIP Gold in Melilla are now ready to head to Kuwait. The third Major of the season begins on Sunday, with another 2,000 FIP Race points up for grabs.