Diestro and Gala Reach Mediterranean Games Semifinal With Win Over Portugal

Jose Antonio Diestro and David Gala are through to the men's semifinals at the Mediterranean Games in Taranto after beating Portugal's Pedro Araujo and Pedro Graca 7-6, 6-4 in Tuesday's quarterfinal.

The second-seeded Spanish pair needed a tiebreak to close out the first set before pulling away in the second, sealing the win at Parco Mediterraneo Salinella. Prince Albert II of Monaco was among those watching courtside as the Portuguese brothers' run ended.

What's next

Diestro and Gala now face another all-Portuguese test. Nuno Deus and Miguel Deus advanced with a 6-3, 6-4 win over France's Timeo Fonteny and Yoan Boronad in the day's other completed quarterfinal, setting up a Spain vs Portugal semifinal.

Three more men's quarterfinals were still to be played, part of a draw featuring 18 nations and 88 athletes in padel's first appearance as a Mediterranean Games medal sport. The tournament runs through August 28, when the bronze medal matches and finals will decide the sport's first Mediterranean Games titles.

FAQ

Who won the Diestro-Gala vs Araujo-Graca quarterfinal? Jose Antonio Diestro and David Gala of Spain won 7-6, 6-4 to reach the semifinals.

Who do Diestro and Gala play next? They face Portugal's Nuno Deus and Miguel Deus, who beat France's Fonteny and Boronad 6-3, 6-4 in the other quarterfinal.

When are the Mediterranean Games padel finals? The finals and bronze medal matches are scheduled for August 28 in Taranto.