Women’s Day4. The semi-finals will be Spain-France and Argentina-Italy. Les Bleues and the Azzurre chasing an upset

DOHA – The field is narrowing: only four teams remain in contention for the women’s FIP World Cup title. Three of the four semi-finalists are the same as two years ago: the three national teams that reached the podium. The new addition is France, who beat the Netherlands and take the place of Portugal. After losing top spot in Group D to the Dutch, Portugal were then beaten by Argentina and will return to court on Friday and Saturday to compete for fifth place.

The semi-finals for positions 1–4 will be Spain-France and Argentina-Italy. The reigning world champions beat Sweden 3-0, thanks to Paula Josemaria and Bea Gonzalez (6-0 6-1 against Behram/Sjoland), Marta Ortega and Martina Calvo (6-0 6-2 against Andersson/Girdo), and Andrea Ustero and Ari Sanchez. Regular team-mates of Paula and Bea on the Premier Padel circuit, they defeated Kjaergaard/Bjork 6-1 6-2. France will face Spain on Friday, having needed just two matches to wrap up their tie against the Netherlands: Alix Collombon and Louise Bahurel beat Hemmes/De Vocht 6-0 6-3, followed by a 6-2 7-6 victory for Carla Touly and Lucile Pothier over Koek/Luttikhuis.

“I’m very happy with the girls’ performances”, said Spanish captain Carolina Navarro after her personal ‘derby’ against Sweden. “The team is very united, both on and off the court. Obviously, I have to make choices based on fatigue and the matches ahead of us. I have an idea, but of course I can change it as we go along”. The competition is entering its decisive phase, with Martina Calvo, born in 2008, the youngest player in a very strong team. “We’re as focused as ever, with the aim of doing our best and controlling everything that depends on us, regardless of who we face”.

 

In the bottom half of the draw, Italy will now attempt an upset against Argentina after their 2-0 victory over Brazil. Giulia Dal Pozzo and Emily Stellato beat Piltcher/Abbud 6-0 6-2, while Clarissa Aima and Giulia Sussarello defeated Cirne/Giusti Gomes 6-1 7-6. “We’re at a point where Italy have a good team,” said Aima and Sussarello at the press conference. “I think we can play a good match. It will be difficult, but we have to try to play well and win a set. We have to fight for this dream on every ball, on every point. Wearing this shirt is a huge responsibility, but also a great satisfaction and a source of pride”.

 

Standing in their way will be an Argentina team looking to secure a place in the final against the Azzurre. Their 3-0 victory over Portugal was sealed by Delfi Brea and Claudia Jensen (6-0 6-0 against Simas/Santos), Aranzazu Osoro and Martina Fassio (6-1 6-3 against Silva/Santos), and Virginia Riera and Julieta Bidahorria (6-2 6-0 against Batlle/Araujo). “We’ve shown great unity this week, both on and off the court, during a special week”, said Brea. “We’re happy because this is a team competition, and it’s great to play alongside different team-mates rather than the same partner throughout the tournament”. “Anyone who wears Argentina’s shirt in any sport is a superhero”, added Osoro. “We may not have the same ranking, the same physical condition or the same level of quality, but wearing this shirt, we’re capable of anything”.

 

QUARTER-FINALS – POSITIONS 1–8
Spain-Sweden 3-0
Netherlands-France 0-2
Argentina-Portugal 3-0
Italy-Brazil 2-0

 

SEMI-FINALS – POSITIONS 1–4
Spain-France
Argentina-Italy

 

SEMI-FINALS – POSITIONS 5–8
Sweden-Netherlands
Portugal-Brazil