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The men's last four at the FIP World Padel Championships in Doha is set, and it has a familiar look at the top. Spain and Argentina, the finalists two years ago, both cruised through their quarterfinals on Thursday, while Italy and Portugal fought their way into the semifinals. On Friday, Argentina face Italy and Spain take on Portugal, with both ties scheduled for 16:00 Spanish time at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex.
Spain need only two matches against Brazil
Spain, runners-up two years ago, put Brazil away without needing their third pair. Jorge Nieto and Jon Sanz opened with a 6-2, 6-2 win over Lucas Fernandes and Matheus de Avila Simonato. Arturo Coello and Javier Leal then beat Andre Freitas and Diogo Correa 6-2, 6-1 to make it 2-0 and end the tie.
It was another efficient day for a team playing without Alejandro Galán. Coello said before the knockout rounds that Spain have the depth to cope, and so far the results back him up: Brazil won only seven games across four sets.
Argentina sweep Germany's historic run
Germany's first ever quarterfinal ended abruptly against the two-time defending champions. Federico Chingotto and Gonzalo Alfonso beat Agustín Reca and Matthias Wunner 6-1, 6-1. Leandro Augsburger and Martín Di Nenno followed with a 6-0, 6-4 win over Johannes Lindmeyer and Benjamin Fitzon. Franco Stupaczuk and Maximiliano Arce completed the 3-0 with a 6-3, 6-0 victory over Christian Boehnke and Nick Merten.
Argentina conceded only nine games across six sets, a clear signal of their intent to defend the title they won in 2022 and 2024.
Italy survive Sweden, Portugal keep their streak alive
The tightest quarterfinal was Italy against Sweden, and both Italian wins went to three sets. Álvaro Montiel and Flavio Abbate lost a first-set tie-break 8-10 to Albin Olsson and Douglas Rutgersson, then came back to win 6-7, 6-3, 6-2. Aris Patiniotis and Giulio Graziotti also had to recover a set down against Willy Släryd and Adam Axelsson, winning 2-6, 6-2, 6-4 to secure the 2-0.
That means Italy have both their men's and women's teams in the semifinals again, and both will face Argentina on Friday. Sweden's men, quarterfinalists for the first time, leave Doha having taken a set off Italy in both matches.
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Portugal were more comfortable against the Netherlands. Brothers Nuno and Miguel Deus beat Sten Richters and Thijs Roper 6-2, 6-1. Peu Araújo and Pedro Graça then sealed it 6-3, 6-4 against Bart Van Opstal and Julian Prins. Portuguese daily Record noted that this is Portugal's third straight World Championship semifinal, after fourth place in Dubai in 2022 and bronze in 2024.
What to expect on Friday
On paper, Spain and Argentina are heavy favourites, and a repeat of the 2024 final would surprise nobody. Still, Italy have now reached back-to-back semifinals, and Portugal have made the last four a habit.
The women's semifinals come first, at 12:00 Spanish time: Spain against France and Argentina against Italy. Under the tournament format, the men's semifinal losers will still play for bronze, so Portugal and Italy each have at least one more match in Doha after Friday.
