The last tournament of his career. The legend Belasteguin wins and advances

PADEL

It's not time to say goodbye yet. Fernando Belasteguin wins on his debut in the Milano Premier Padel P1, in what will be the last tournament of a legendary career. "Bela", paired with his young Argentine compatriot Libaak, won 6-4, 6-4 over the Portuguese brothers Deus amid applause from the Allianz Cloud. Now the Argentine champion will return to the field against the n7 seed Garrido and Bergamini. A much more difficult challenge, but not impossible: finishing at least in the top eight of the tournament would be a fitting finale for the South American phenomenon. Still in the men's field, Italy bids farewell to its last representative. Facundo Dominguez, paired with the Argentine Piotto, surrendered 6-3, 6-0 to the much stronger Iberians Cardona and Navarro, fifth seeds. Velvet debut for the third seeded favorites Lebron (reigning champion) and Di Nenno (finalist last year against her current partner): the Hispanic-Argentine duo beat Santigosa and Lamperti 6-4, 6-1. In the women's category, the title defense got off to a great start for Brea and Gonzalez, who handed out a dry 6-2, 6-0 to Nogueira and Rodriguez. "Coming back here is special, we want to win again", explained the two champions. A more hard-fought victory instead for the first seeds Triay-Sanchez (6-3, 4-6, 6-0 to Fassio and Eugenio). Finally, the opponents of the Italians still in the running have been established. Today in the eighth finals Carolina Orsi and the Spanish Rodriguez will face Osoro and Virseda, while Caterina Baldi and Giulia Dal Pozzo will try yet another feat against the Spanish legends and former world number 1s Sainz and Llaguno. Curiously, the Iberian team is coached by Marcela Ferrari, coach of the Italian national team, who today, as an opponent, will carefully study the Azzurre with a view to a possible future call-up.

Alessandro Stella