Five Key Points: Brazil wins the decider, Lebron with new partner, and Brea on backhand
The second day of the World Cup has come to an end.
Here are Padel Alto’s five highlights from the day:
Tight battle between Brazil and Germany
It was a close fight between Brazil and Germany on the women's side. Germany’s Ackermann and Hering put in a solid performance, winning the first match against Brazil’s Abbud De Barros and Lenz. Brazil then equalized, leading to a deciding match where Abarzua Branchi and Menna Barreto secured victory for Brazil.
Lebron and Coello
After playing with Yanguas yesterday, Lebron teamed up with Coello today. This pairing could also be key in a possible final. The Spanish coach is testing different combinations to find the best setup.
United Arab Emirates vs. Spain
The United Arab Emirates created reactions when their roster was announced, as several Spanish players are part of the team. Inigo Jofre, Arnau Ayats, and Sergio Icardo are the most notable players, though there is a clear skill gap among team members. After defeating Paraguay yesterday, they faced Spain today—a unique matchup considering the Spanish connection in the UAE team. The closest match came when Jurado and Ayats lost 5-7, 4-6 against Yanguas and Galan.
Delfi Brea on backhand
The Argentine women’s team is through to the quarterfinals, as expected, after losing only two games against Egypt. This team has also tried various pairings to prepare for a potential final against top-seeded Spain. Delfi Brea took the backhand side, as she did with Andrea Ustero when Bea Gonzalez was injured in Premier Padel. It looks like she may need to continue on this side in this championship.
Italy and Belgium compete for a playoff spot
The men’s matchup between Italy and Belgium was expected to be close, and it lived up to expectations. Italy took the first match, but Belgium quickly equalized. In the end, Italy’s Sinicropi and Graziotti clinched the deciding match, likely securing a playoff spot for Italy.