Coquito Zamora at the Málaga P1: a wild card that pays off
The opening round of the men’s Málaga P1 produced an early upset. Invited by the organisers, Juan “Coquito” Zamora and Pablo Sánchez Vicente defeated Pol Hernández and Guille Collado 7-6(4), 6-4 in one hour and 27 minutes.
The score reflects a tight contest, but also a pair able to stay composed when a set was on the line. Zamora and Sánchez took the first-set tie-break and then protected their advantage in the second. Against two opponents with greater experience on the professional circuit, the wild cards refused to let the occasion dictate the match.
The result immediately put the young Andalusian at the centre of the opening day. Premier Padel also highlighted the victory as one of the main stories from the start of the men’s draw. The tournament is being held at the José María Martín Carpena Sports Palace, with 48 teams in the men’s main draw.
Coquito Zamora confirms his step forward
At 18, Coquito Zamora arrived in Málaga with a status that had already changed. A few days earlier, he won the FIP Junior Euro Padel Cup 2026 with Spain. That national-team title adds weight to his success on the professional circuit, without making him a newcomer.
One clarification matters: this was not his first appearance in a Premier Padel main draw. Zamora had already played the Málaga P1 in 2025 and also reached the round of 16 at the Gijón P2 that year. His win alongside Pablo Sánchez represents a different milestone: taking a P1 opening-round match against an established pair, in front of a Spanish crowd already familiar with his potential.
The victory belongs to the partnership as well. Pablo Sánchez supported Zamora with enough control to prevent Hernández and Collado from changing the momentum. In matches like this, a wild card can bring freedom, but it cannot replace tie-break management or the ability to close the contest in straight sets.
Paquito Navarro and Martin Di Nenno provide the next test
The draw now brings a sharp rise in difficulty. Zamora and Sánchez are due to face sixth seeds Paquito Navarro and Martin Di Nenno on Wednesday, 15 July. The match is listed third on centre court.
That encounter will offer a clearer measure of their level against a pair accustomed to the latter stages of tournaments. The wild cards have already justified their invitation; now they have earned the chance to test themselves against one of the circuit’s leading teams. For Coquito Zamora, the Málaga P1 is no longer only about promise. It has become a full-scale examination.
