Vienna Padel Open: home jerseys and a high-flyer
On the first day of the main field of play at the Vienna Padel Open, a player who will help determine events in the coming years was allowed to play: Arturo Coello.
by Jens Huiber
last edit: Jun 08, 2022, 05:27 pm
By Jens Huiber from Vienna
It is not far from the Kagran underground station to the STEFFL Arena, and a striking number of padel fans came with a jersey from the Austrian national football team. This guarantees free entry on Wednesday, the last match of the day is the first appearance of the two best Austrians, Christoph Krenn and Daniel Alten, on Center Court. The Vienna Capitals actually play their home games here, two padel courts were moved to the ice surface for the Vienna Padel Open, and matches of the first event of the World Padel Tour in German-speaking countries also take place on two more in the smaller hall.
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The official language in padel is Spanish, which quickly becomes clear when strolling between the courts. 48 of the top 50 men in the world come from either Spain or Argentina, with two Brazilians somehow sneaking in there.
Belasteguin and Coello seeded in seventh place
Spain and Argentina - that's a very hot combination in padel at the moment. Because Fernando Belasteguin, actually South American, but moved to Barcelona long ago, and Arturo Coello from Valladolid in Spain came to Vienna with a winning streak of six matches. Which automatically makes the two co-favorites for the title in Vienna as well.
Belasteguin and Coello are allowed to play on Wednesday afternoon, their opponents Augustin Silingo and Francisco Gil are initially lost, losing the first set 2:6. The second act is much more balanced, the world's best padel players are at almost the same level.
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Striking: Arturo Coello not only towers over most of his competitors in a playful way, no, the 20-year-old also builds up a solid 1.90 meters in height at the net. And yet moves extremely smoothly across the court. Coello is also the one who communicates louder than his partner. Belasteguin/Coello are seventh in Vienna, the first four couples, above all Alejandro Galan and Juan Lebròn, enjoy a bye at the start.
In the end, Belasteguin and Coello win 6:2 and 6:4. A top star remains at the Vienna Padel Open.