Key Takeaways
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Galán and Chingotto won the Pretoria P1 final 6-2, 5-7, 7-6, claiming their 18th title as a pair and sixth of the season.
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Leal and Guerrero stunned the tournament by defeating world no.1 Coello and Tapia en route to the final.
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The match lasted nearly three hours, featuring dramatic swings, match points, and a decisive tiebreak.
A dominant start
Ale Galán and Fede Chingotto entered the Pretoria final as clear favorites, and for the first 20 minutes they lived up to that billing. Their aggressive play left Fran Guerrero and Javi Leal struggling to find rhythm. Galán’s aerial dominance and Chingotto’s control produced a lopsided first set, with a winners tally of 17 to 6 and no break point chances for the Spaniards. The scoreline of 6-2 reflected the gulf in intensity.
Guerrero and Leal’s resurgence
The second set told a different story. Urged on by coach Íñigo López de Aberasturi “Lopa,” Guerrero and Leal shed their inhibitions and began to fight back. They matched Galán and Chingotto in long rallies, forcing errors and raising the crowd’s energy. Their courage paid off as they edged the set 7-5, leveling the contest and turning the SunBet Arena into a cauldron of noise.
A breathtaking finale
With the match tied, tension reached its peak. Both pairs exchanged blows, mixing lobs, volleys, and daring shots. Leal and Guerrero even held match points in the decisive tiebreak, but the composure of “Chingalán” proved decisive. Galán and Chingotto held firm under pressure, closing out the final set 7-6 to secure victory. “When the pressure was on, their rhythm and mental strength made the difference,” observers noted.
Making history in South Africa
The triumph marked Galán and Chingotto’s 18th title together and their sixth of the season, further cementing their reputation as one of the sport’s most formidable duos. For Leal and Guerrero, the run to the final was equally historic, highlighted by their upset over Coello and Tapia. Their performance in Pretoria confirmed they are rising forces capable of challenging the elite.
Applause for all four
The Pretoria final was not just a contest of skill but of resilience and heart. After nearly three hours of play, both pairs left the court to standing ovations. The match will be remembered as one of the season’s most thrilling battles, a showcase of padel’s intensity and unpredictability.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r43iwcBj9T4
Galan and Chingotto in Pretoria, ranking, and results
LWWWWWWWWW Galan and Chingotto have achieved a win-loss 51-8 record together in 2026. The last match they played was on the 2nd of August when they conquered the Pretoria P1 2026 after defeating Leal (world no.16) and Guerrero (world no.13) 6-2 5-7 7-6(7) in the final.
