Dubai: The teenage pair of Martin De Nenno and Franco Stupackzuk from Argentina won the international paddle tennis competition in the Nad Al Sheba 2014 Sports Tournament here late on Friday and then set their sights on being the world number ones in the sport.
De Nenno, 17 and Stupackzuk, 18 got the better of Brazilians Julio Julianoti and Gervasio Del Bono 6-4, 6-2.
Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman, Dubai Sports Council (DSC), presented the cash prizes and trophies to the winners in the presence of Shaikh Saeed Bin Maktoum Bin Juma Al Maktoum, President, UAE Paddle Tennis Association (UAE PTA).
“Winning this tournament is a dream come true for us. We came here with no expectations, but to play at our best level. Luckily a lot of things worked out for us and we have enjoyed every moment of our time in a true sporting city like Dubai,” De Nenno told Gulf News.
“We have a bright future ahead of us in paddle tennis and it is our dream to become the best players in the world one day. Of course, we cannot set a time limit for achieving this goal, but we are confident we can do it,” he added.
Though more experienced, Del Bono and Julianoti struggled against the pace and court craft of their younger opponents from Argentina.
De Nenno and Stupackzuk broke early to go 2-0 up, only to see the Brazilians draw level at 2-2. However, one more break in the seventh was adequate to clinch the set 6-4.
With Julianoti struggling with a left shoulder injury, things were easier for the teens from Argentina in the second set as they rattled their opponents to win 6-2. “I think they were mentally and physically better prepared for the final. But we are satisfied that we gave off our best and played well in the final,” Del Bono said.
Meanwhile, two of the finest futsal players will be seen in action when Ricardinho-led Fohood Zabeel takes on Falcao’s Al Jokar in the futsal competition at the NAS Sports Complex late on Sunday.
In the semi-finals, Fohood Zabeel got the better of Fohood Jumeirah 5-3, while Al Jokar defeated Al Markaz 3-1 to set up a mouth-watering meeting in the final.
The NAS 2014 Sports Tournament is sponsored by Emirates, Dubai Duty Free, Meydan, Al Tayer Motors, Al Naboodah and Arabian Automobiles Al Rostamani.
