Carlos Daniel Gutierrez and Fernando Belasteguin celebrate after scoring a point during the semi-final.
Argentinian pair Fernando Belasteguin and Carlos Daniel Gutierrez yesterday booked their place in the Ooredoo Qatar Major finale following a thrilling 6-5, 1-6, 6-4 win over Spaniards Jeronimo Gonzalez and Alejandro Ruiz Granados.
At the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex, fourth seeded duo who shocked World No.1 pair and last year’s runner-up Alejandro Galan and Juan Lebron in straight sets in the quarter-finals, spent just over two hours and 15 minutes to advance yesterday.
They will take on No.2 seeds Franco Stupackzuk and Martin Di Nenno in an all-Argentinian final in the opening Padel Major of the season.
Franco Stupackzuk and Martin Di Nenno celebrate after making it to the final.
'Stupa' and Di Nenno earlier knocked down Spain's Arturo Coello and Agustín Tapia in a scintillating clash at the Centercourt, coming back from a set down to seal a 5-7, 6-3, 6-2 win in two and half hours.
Earlier, the Qatar Tennis Squash and Badminton Federation paid tribute to Brazil’s Pablo Lima, who is playing in his final Premier Padel season.
Lima, regarded as the greatest ever padel player to play for his country, failed to reach the semi-finals of the Qatar tournament this time.
Lima and Spain’s Jorge Nieto Ruiz lost to Argentina’s Fernando Belasteguin/Carlos Daniel Gutierrez, the No. 4 seeds, in a two and half hour-long thriller in which the latter prevailed 1-6, 6-3, 6-4.
QTSBF President Nasser Ghanim Al Khelaifi and QTSBF Secretary General Tariq Zainal with Brazil’s Pablo Lima at a felicitation ceremony in honour of Lima, who is playing in his final Premier Padel season.
During the felicitation ceremony held at the centrecourt yesterday in the presence of Qatar Tennis, Squash and Badminton Federation (QTSBF) President Nasser Ghanim Al Khelaifi and its Secretary General Tariq Zainal, the 36-year-old Lima said playing in Doha was special.
“Of course there is still lot of events left in the season, but it feels special to play in Doha. Thank you for this honour,” Lima said.
“I love this sport a lot. And I am grateful and happy to see paddle is in good hands. And I am sure this second of Premier Padel will be great,” the former World No.1 said.
