Just a few hours before stepping onto the court, with photos and videos shared across her social media channels, Ale Salazar had been on safari. South Africa is a new destination for the Qatar Airways Premier Padel Tour and its stars. The Spanish legend, who will bring her career to a close this year, swapped close encounters with lions for her padel racket and, partnering Aranzazu Osoro, defeated Ksenia Sharifova and Alix Collombon 6-2 6-4 in the opening round of the Pretoria P1. The women’s draw got underway today with victories, among others, for seventh seeds Marina Guinart and Ale Alonso, who recorded a 6-2 6-2 win over Escacena/Martinez, and for Nuria Rodriguez and Giulia Dal Pozzo, who earned a round-of-16 clash with Delfi Brea and Gemma Triay. Awaiting the debut of the tournament favourites, and following the elimination of the South African wild cards, Wednesday’s schedule will begin at 9 a.m. with what promises to be the standout match of the women’s opening round, featuring Bea Caldera and Carmen Goenaga against Tamara Icardo and Claudia Jensen.
MEN Wednesday will also see the debut of the world’s top pairs in the men’s draw, although Franco Stupaczuk and Mike Yanguas will not be among them, having been replaced by two lucky losers. Arturo Coello and Agustin Tapia will close the programme against Gonza Alfonso and Tino Libaak. Earlier in the day, Fede Chingotto and Ale Galan will face Juani Rubini and Maxi Sanchez, while Juan Lebron and Leo Augsburger, following their run to the final in Malaga, will begin their campaign against Pablo Lijó and Xisco Gil.
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