Araujo Siblings Book Mixed Padel Final Spot at Mediterranean Games

Sofia and Pedro Araujo are through to the inaugural mixed padel final at the Mediterranean Games. The Portuguese siblings, the top seeds in Taranto, beat Greece's Pavlos-Louis Balafas and Christina Styliani Ntanou 6-3, 6-0 in Thursday's semifinal at Parco del Mediterraneo Salinella.

A guaranteed medal, now they want gold

The win locks in at least a silver medal for Portugal in padel's Games debut. Sofia Araujo, who also reached a Premier Padel P1 final in Valencia this year, is not settling for second. "We want the gold," she said after the match. "Tomorrow we will give our all and hope the Portuguese are filled with pride."

Her brother Pedro said reaching the final only counts for so much. "The main objective will only be achieved if we win tomorrow," he said. "Playing for Portugal is a unique feeling."

Italy waits in the final

Standing between the Araujos and gold are Italy's Giulia Dal Pozzo and Marco Cassetta, the number two seeds, who came through the other semifinal against France's Louise Bahurel and Dylan Guichard to set up the gold medal match. The final is scheduled for Friday morning at the same venue, closing out padel's first appearance on the Mediterranean Games program.

Eighteen nations sent 88 athletes to Taranto for padel's debut on the Games program, with the men's, women's and mixed brackets all reaching their semifinals this week ahead of Friday's finals.