World Cup: Spain and Argentina Set Up Double Final Showdown in Doha

The FIP World Cup in Doha has its dream finish. Spain and Argentina both won their semi-finals 2-0 on Friday, which means padel's two biggest nations will meet for both titles on Saturday at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex. The women's final is first, at 14:00 local time (12:00 in Spain). The men follow at 18:00 local time (16:00 in Spain).

Spain's women brush France aside

Carolina Navarro's team left France no room at all. Paula Josemaría and Gemma Triay beat Lea Godallier and Clara Mansart 6-3, 6-1 to win the first point. Claudia Fernández and Beatriz González then closed the tie with a 6-0, 6-0 whitewash of Alix Collombon and Louise Bahurel. France were the only new name among this year's women's semi-finalists and had knocked out the Netherlands to get there, but they could not get close to the reigning champions.

In the other semi-final, Argentina beat Italy 2-0. Aranzazu Osoro and Martina Fassio beat Caterina Baldi and Giulia Sussarello in straight sets. Delfina Brea and Claudia Jensen then sealed the final with a 6-2, 6-3 win over Giulia Dal Pozzo and Giorgia Marchetti. After the win, Osoro thanked the Argentine supporters who had travelled to Qatar and said their backing gave the team a huge lift.

History is firmly on Spain's side. According to Spanish outlet Padelstar, Spain have won all six previous women's world finals against Argentina going back to 2014, and Argentina have finished runners-up at each of the last six women's World Championships. Argentina's team is coached by Rodri Ovide and Gaby Reca.

Spain survive a Portuguese scare, Argentina cruise

The men's semi-final against Portugal was harder for Spain. Miguel Yanguas and Aimar Goñi lost the first set to the Deus brothers, Miguel and Nuno, before coming back to win 4-6, 6-3, 6-2. Juan Lebrón and Francisco Navarro then took the deciding point 6-2, 6-4 against Peu Araújo and Pedro Graça. Under tournament rules, the third rubber is not played once a tie has been decided.

Argentina had no trouble with Italy. Leandro Augsburger and Martín Di Nenno won the opener 6-1, 6-1 in about 50 minutes, according to Padel Spain. Agustín Tapia and Federico Chingotto then wrapped up the tie 6-3, 6-2.

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A rematch of 2024, with Argentina chasing a hat-trick

Saturday's men's final repeats the 2024 final. Argentina won that one, and Augsburger and Valentino Libaak played the deciding point, as the FIP recalled. The Argentines have won the last two world titles and are now going for a third in a row. Argentine state broadcaster DeporTV reports that a win would be the country's 13th men's world title.

Spain, coached by Juanjo Gutiérrez, are here without Alejandro Galán, but have dropped very few sets on the way to the final. One subplot will be watched closely: Arturo Coello and Agustín Tapia are the leading pair on the Premier Padel tour, and in Doha they could end up on opposite sides of the net.

What's on Saturday

The day starts with the men's bronze medal match between Italy and Portugal at 11:30 local time (09:30 in Spain), the same third-place match as two years ago. Then come the two finals. Movistar Plus+ is showing both in Spain. In the men's final, the second match is listed at about 18:00 Spanish time and a possible third at around 20:00, though these times depend on how long the earlier matches last.