They had to fight tooth and nail to reach the quarter-finals. In a match where each pair seemed to take control in turn, Momo González and Lucas Campagnolo finally broke down Paquito Navarro and Martín Di Nenno in a third set marked by the Brazilian's growing strength and Paquito's physical difficulties in the final games.

For a long time, Di Nenno had given the impression of being able to keep his pair constantly in touch. Very precise at the net, the Argentinian made numerous well-timed interventions, particularly when it came to maintaining net control after an initial defensive block. Few errors, plenty of depth, and the ability to play an extra volley without always aiming for the decisive shot: Di Nenno was for a long time the linchpin of the pair.

At 4-4, on a particularly important Star Point, he even decided to take matters into his own hands with one of his strongest weapons: a powerful vibraphone that allowed his pair to escape a tense situation. Paquito recognized this and immediately celebrated the point by miming his traditional guitar. The image was lighthearted, but the moment was anything but: Navarro and Di Nenno had just won one of the most important points of the set.

Campagnolo rejects the plan prepared on the bench

Between the first two sets, Paquito and Di Nenno had a long discussion on the bench. Their intention quickly became clear: to try and work Campagnolo harder and force him to play in uncomfortable situations.

But the plan did not produce the desired effect.

The Brazilian, on the contrary, responded with several authoritative smashes and very good bajadaThe longer the exchanges go on, the more Campagnolo seems to get into the game. Where Navarro and Di Nenno perhaps hoped to cause a drop in intensity, they ultimately contribute to building their opponent's confidence.

At 5-4, they looked for a new solution. The lobs landed more often in the middle, with the idea of ​​pushing Momo and Campagnolo to the back and then blocking at the net. The strategy was clear: prevent the two men from dictating the rallies from their preferred areas and advance together to close down the spaces.

But Momo and Campagnolo do not give in.

They accept the pressure, defend an extra ball and manage to take the set to a tie-break.

The tie-break is gradually changing hands.

This is where the balance of power shifts again.

Paquito is starting to let slip some situations he previously controlled, while Campagnolo continues to improve. The Brazilian is now playing with more conviction, attacking every opportunity, and fully embracing his role in crucial moments.

Momo González remains true to what he has been doing from the beginning: a lot of work, defense, continuity and very little rushing.

The tie-break logically ended up going in their favor.

It's no longer simply a pair resisting Paquito and Di Nenno. At this point in the match, Momo and Campagnolo are starting to impose their rhythm on them.

Di Nenno and Paquito, however, struck first in the third

The start of the final set could have halted this momentum. Paquito Navarro and Martín Di Nenno immediately took the lead with an early break and regained control of the match.

At 5-3, they even had a chance to create a second gap. Another break would then probably have ended much of the suspense.

But Campagnolo and Momo resist. They come back to 5-4 and continue to battle in every rally. Then comes a point that perfectly encapsulates the end of this match.

At 5-4, 30-40, with Paquito and Di Nenno still able to close the gap on victory, Campagnolo had to negotiate a comeback. bajadaThe Brazilian plays his backhand and hits the net just centimeters short.

A shot that was almost impossible to place better. And suddenly, something changed.

Up until then, Momo and Campagnolo sometimes seemed to be struggling to stay in the game. From that moment on, they started playing to win it.

From survival to conquest

Body language evolves. Campagnolo continues to push, Momo no longer gives up an exchange and the pressure gradually changes sides.

Paquito, for his part, seems to be starting to feel the physical strain of the long fight. Movement becomes more difficult, and both Momo and Campagnolo immediately understand where to land their lobs. At 6-5, the trend becomes clear.

The high balls are now almost always aimed at Navarro. The Sevillian is still trying to hang on, but he no longer has the same ability to retreat and then move forward. In the final game, he seems completely exhausted physically and can no longer cover the court as he did a few games earlier.

Momo and Campagnolo just have to maintain the pressure. They won't let up.

Campagnolo grew up with the game

This quarter-final ultimately told two parallel stories.

First, that of Martín Di Nenno, excellent for much of the match, whose quality of volley and ability to hold the net constantly allowed him and Paquito to remain dangerous.

But especially that of Lucas Campagnolo.

Targeted at times during the second set, the Brazilian never backed down. He responded with the smash, with the bajadaand then by an increasingly important presence in decisive moments. The further the match progressed, the higher his level rose.

Alongside him, Momo González brought exactly what Campagnolo needed: the stability to continue playing even when the scenario seemed to be slipping out of their control.

They held on at 5-3 in the third set. Saved another critical situation at 5-4, 30-40. Then they sensed the match could turn around and went for it.

A quarter-final that resembled a battle right to the end. And this time, Momo González and Lucas Campagnolo were the last ones standing.

Antoine Tricolet

I discovered the Padel I stumbled into Spain at a campsite. I was instantly hooked; passionate about padel, I follow international and regional news with the same excitement as the sport itself.

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