Galan-Belluati make Moyano-Grabiel tremble

The best padel in the world continued to conquer the Canarian fans at the majestic Gran Canaria Arena.

 

In the evening's round of last 32 matches, the number 7 pairing, Maxi Grabiel and Ramiro Moyano suffered to beat newcomers on this stage, Alejandro Galan and Juan Cruz Belluati.

They were in their first main draw of a World Padel Tour event as a pairing, and in Galan's case, it was only his second appearance in the last 32 of his career.

But the nerves didn't get to them against Grabiel-Moyano, who were lacking a good strategy and feel on court. They were surprised by their brilliant opponents in the first set.

After taking the first set in a tiebreak, Galan-Belluati had the chance to go 5-3 up in the second, but they didn't take their opportunity. Ramiro and Maxi scraped out a break to make it 7-5 and force a definitive third set.

Ramiro and Maxi didn't faulter there although their opponents had their options. An early break was enough to take the set 6-3 and progress to the last 16 after two hours and 15 minutes of intense battle.

In the second match of the day, local idol Jordi Muñoz received all the backing from the fans alongside his partner Pablo Lijo, in a clash against newly formed young pairing, Matias Marina and Gonzalo Rubio.

A succession of breaks and long points were constant throughout the match. But the Canarian and the Galician player always seemed to me one gear ahead of their opponents. And with a definitive break in each set they took a 7-5, 6-4 win to advance to the last 16.

Next on court was another local player. Aday Santana, with Willy Lahoz, took on some well known faces, Marcello Jardim and Franco Stupaczuk.

But this time, like the last time they played in Mallorca, the number eight pairing took a convincing 7-5, 6-3 win.

The first set was very even, with an exchange of breaks, and it was the minor details which set both pairing apart. But in the second set, Willy and Aday showed their best version and clearly dominated proceedings.

Santana booked his ticket for the last sixteen as he progresses through the tournament with the fans chanting, "pio, pio".

Exciting day at La Calzada

Meanwhile, at La Calzada, Raul Marcos and Raul Diaz qualified for the last sixteen after defeating Javier Escalante and Toni Bueno 6/2, 7/5.

Then, Jaime Bergareche and Martin Sanchez Piñeiro put an end to the hopes of David Gutierrez and Francisco Gomes (6/3, 6/2).

In a topsy turvy match, Ernesto Moreno and Pedro Alonso Martinez won in three sets against Gerard Company and Matias Nicoletti (6/1, 4/6, 6/2) and will take on the number 1 pairing, Fernando Belasteguin and Pablo Lima, tomorrow.

The last pairing to advance to the next round were Gonzalo Diaz and Luciano Capra, who won in two close sets against debuting pair Aris Patiniotis and Diego Ramos.

The last sixteen gets underway tomorrow at 9:30, with seven matches and the already confirmed absence of Sebastian Nerone through injury.