Tapia and Coello clinch their eighth title of the year at the London P1

And, as every Sunday, we had another Superclásico. Tapia and Coello versus Galán and Chingotto. The number one couple against the number two. A new chapter in the rivalry that has defined the world of padel in recent years. This time, too, with an added incentive: for the first time, this eternal duel was being played on British soil. This is how the men’s final of the London P1 unfolded.

Eighth title of the season for Tapia and Coello

Going on holiday on a high is almost as important as winning. And the best couple in recent padel history know this all too well. The London P1 brings the first half of the year to a close. Now comes a three-week summer break. Premier Padel will return with the Madrid P1.

But to understand today’s events in London, we need to rewind a week. In Pretoria, Coello and Tapia were knocked out in the semi-finals by Leal and Guerrero. A double 7-5 defeat. In any other context, it would have been a mere setback. In their case, it was a shock: it brought an end to a run of 27 consecutive finals reached. Something that hadn’t happened to them for over a year. Galán and Chingotto, meanwhile, seized the opportunity. They claimed the title in South Africa, their sixth trophy of the year.

With that very recent history in mind, today’s final held a special intrigue. And the outcome, for a change, was the same as always. The match kicked off with the usual one-sided display from Arturo and Agustín: 6–3 in just a couple of minutes. Fede and Ale didn’t even play badly. They simply didn’t have a chance to get into the match.

But if there’s one thing that defines Chingalán, it’s the tenacity and courage with which they compete. They completely turned the match on its head. They snatched the second set from their opponents 7-5, with a last-gasp break. In the third and decisive set, the match remained within a narrow range of balance. But, as is often the case with these four, when Coello and Tapia really turn up the pressure, Galán and Chingotto can’t keep up. Another 7–5, this time in their favour. Another title for their trophy cabinet. And they continue to extend their lead at the top of the Race.