Coello / Tapia delivered an impressive performance against Sanz / Nieto in the semi-finals of the World Padel Tour Málaga Open, winning in three sets and qualifying for their 13ᵉ final in 2023 !

The set of the week?

The first set is just fantastic with the pair Nieto / Sanz who manages to maintain an exceptional level against the strike force of Coello / Tapia. Unlike previous matches in this tournament, the Spanish-Argentinian pair fit better into the game. And it takes great Nieto / Sanz to win this first set after saving a crazy set point at 5/4 on a punto de oro to come back to five everywhere. And behind, perfect return game for Nieto / Sanz who breaks in stride. And again Nieto/Sanz wins a punto de oro to win that first set. We barely breathe on the central track of Malaga as the physical dimension is so important.

sanz nieto malaga open

The steamroller is running

In the second set, immediate reaction from the world numbers 1 who break from the start, following, it is true, a big drop in speed from Nieto and Sanz who make mistakes that they did not commit in the first set. We feel them tired… and during this time, Coello and Tapia put a layer of it back by hitting hard and pressing where it hurts. The Nieto/Sanz defense that paid off so well is cracking on all sides.

The 2nd set is won on a new break from Coello / Tapia: 6/1.

Coello / Tapia: unstoppable

The 3ᵉ set is like the second: Coello / Tapia are close to the stars in terms of level of play while Nieto / Sanz are looking for a second wind in this match. But the games go by and we feel them thrown off balance.

And besides, it's Sanz who we hear on the bench at the change of sides talking to his coach and partner and who congratulates his opponents. Sanz is a little desperate at the end of the game. Mentally, it's interesting to see how he tries to re-motivate himself by praising the opposing team and believing that they are the ones who deliver a very good game.

While in reality both Sanz and Nieto really helped Coello/Tapia to get such a tough score in the 2ᵉ and 3ᵉ set.

Coello / Tapia literally corrects Sanz / Nieto in this last set: 6/0.

An unprecedented final in Malaga

To conclude, we will see with Yanguas / Bela and even Mena / Tison, Coello / Tapia offers us first half-hearted sets. But when the machine is settled, it becomes very complicated for the opponents.

The 12ᵉ title in focus, already, for Coello / Tapia, in 2023.

Tapia will also try to keep his title acquired last year with Sanyo Gutierrez.

Tomorrow, therefore, we will have a Tapia / Coello vs. Ruiz/Tello.

New final and especially 13ᵉ final for Coello / Tapia on the way.

Franck Binisti

Franck Binisti discovered padel at the Club des Pyramides in 2009 in the Paris region. Since then, padel has been part of his life. You often see him touring France to cover major French padel events.

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