It was one of the great attractions of the week in the Italian capital and, although the competitive sensations until the quarterfinals had been remarkably positive, they have not been able to prolong their career in the tournament that marked their return as a couple. Paquito Navarro and Martín Di Nenno said goodbye to the Foro Itálico after being eliminated by the inspired Momo González and Lucas Campagnolo who continue to make history in this beginning of the project. In this way, the men’s team finishes outlining a high-tension semifinals in the first Major of the season.
Paco and ‘Renga’ arrived at the event displaying a high-quality paddle. In the round of 16 they had knocked down one of the fashionable couples, the one formed by Aimar Goñi and Edu Alonso, with incontestable solvency, especially given the outdoor and high-speed conditions that historically have not benefited the cutting of their game. About twenty percent of the ‘Eternal City’ showed that the automatisms and chemistry of their successful first stage were still valid, which aroused a logical optimism in the environment. However, in the quarterfinals they were overcome by the passionate display of the Brazilian and the tireless drive of the Antequera native.
Momo González has changed his dynamic completely after leaving behind a complex stretch of the season. If in the round of 16 he moved the fans by bursting into tears after completing the bombshell against Stupaczuk and Yanguas, in the quarterfinals he once again revealed all that innate talent that he has in his racket. At his side, Lucas Campagnolo is confirming himself in Rome as a unique drive player, making the most of his physical strength and aggressiveness in transition shots. The suffocating defensive consistency of Gaby Reca’s pupils ended up making Paquito and Di Nenno desperate, who ended up conceding a double 6-3 that puts an end to their journey this week.
Coello and Tapia do not give up the baton and the semifinals are already in sight
The other key to the quarterfinals had Arturo Coello and Agustín Tapia as the main protagonistswho took to the court with the firm intention of continuing to burn stages in one of the tournaments marked in red on their calendar. After having left Gala and Jensen behind with absolute authority, the current number one in the FIP ranking crossed paths with Javi Garrido and Lucas Bergamini, a pairing that was suffering a small crisis of results and that landed in Italy with the need to vindicate themselves. The minimum objective of reaching the quarterfinals had already been achieved; From there, it was time to rebel against logic.
Despite the momentum of their opponents, the ‘Golden Boys’ gave no room for speculation in the opening chapter. An unappealable 6-3 in the first set suggested that the Valladolid and Catamarca natives would resolve the match quickly and without excessive wear and tear.
However, the Córdoba player and the Brazilian drive adjusted their tactical pieces and raised their intensity several gears in the continuation, forcing Arturo and Agustín to work hard in each exchange. Garrido and Bergamini put up a Numantine resistance that stretched the outcome of the second set until sudden death. In the tie-break, the world leaders asserted their stripes in the hot spots to secure victory and certify their presence in the semifinals, where they are just one step away from re-editing the classic of the season against Alejandro Galán and Federico Chingotto.
