Riyadh Season P1: Ortega–Calvo strike first, the stars take the stage

A Strong Start in Riyadh

First tournament, first nail-biters: the Riyadh Season P1 tournament kicked off the 2026 season with a series of close matches right from Day 1. The message is clear: even before the seeds arrive, the draw offers almost no respite, and matches that reach a turning point in the third set are already a dime a dozen.

The frame is set for a packed week at the PADEL RUSH ARENA, with a tournament scheduled for February 7–14 (qualifying rounds followed by the main draw) and a full lineup of men’s and women’s events.

Ortega–Calvo: A Winning Start, Without Dragging On

Among the new pairings being closely watched, Ortega–Calvo wasted no time in making their debut. Marta Ortega and Martina Calvo secured a decisive victory over Jessica Castellò and Lorena Rufo (6-3, 6-1) in 1 hour and 14 minutes, a performance that speaks volumes about their ability to “take control” quickly: intensity in the first games, a steady tempo, and very few openings left for their opponents.

This success is also a good indicator of the direction several players are taking in 2026: building on new, sometimes intergenerational, synergies to increase their aggressiveness and tactical variety. Calvo, who is very young, is expected to be one of the players capable of taking her game to the next level this season, and this first match reinforces the idea that she will be a force to be reckoned with.

Women’s Draw: Trap Matches Right from the First Round

The first day also brought back a classic scenario in pro padel: the “tricky first round,” where instinctive play sometimes counts for more than the rankings. Noa Cánovas and Laia Rodríguez were treated to a roller-coaster match against Alix Collombon and Araceli Montes (6-0, 3-6, 6-0). They will now be Bea González and Paula Josemaría’s opponents, the new seeds in a completely reshuffled draw.

Another big match-up: Marta Talaván and Sofía Saiz had to work hard (7-5, 6-7, 6-3) and will next face Andrea Ustero and Ari Sánchez. Once again, this is a new pairing, so it will be a match where “raw” talent will have to make up for the lack of a shared history… or, conversely, where the enthusiasm for the partnership could prove very damaging.

Guichard vs. Blanqué: A Big Match Against Coello vs. Tapia

On the men’s side, the story that resonates with French-speaking audiences is crystal clear: Dylan Guichard and Bastien Blanqué have earned the right to take on the toughest competition. The French winners, Juan Cruz Belluati and Facundo Dominguez (7-5, 6-1), will face Coello/Tapia in a high-profile match to kick off the No. 1 seeds’ season.

Beyond the big match-up, the challenge is simple: keep up the pace on set pieces and stay in the game during key moments. Against Coello and Tapia, the goal isn’t just to “play well,” but to stay dangerous when the match experiences acceleration. This is the kind of test that’s worth its weight in gold, even when the draw isn’t easy.

Wednesday: The top contenders arrive, and the tournament takes on a whole new dimension

The next day’s schedule marks the real turning point: the top pairs take the court. Fede Chingotto and Ale Galán, in particular, are set to face Gonzalo Rubio and Javi Ruiz, who are coming off a grueling three-set match. Meanwhile, the Mike Yanguas–Franco Stupaczuk “reunion” will play its first official match of the season against Pol Hernández and Guille Collado.

In a tournament this long, these early matches for the headline acts are always a good indicator of form: positioning, the quality of their shots from the salida de pared, smash efficiency, but also how they handle “tough” moments when the score gets close. In short, everything that often makes the difference by the end of the week… is already starting to show right now.

A revamped 2026 lineup: the Paula–Ari rivalry in the spotlight

The Riyadh Season P1 is also the scene of a major shake-up in the women’s draw. Behind Delfi Brea and Gemma Triay, the top seeds, several new pairings are shaking up the rankings: Bea González with Paula Josemaría (No. 2), Andrea Ustero with Ari Sánchez (No. 3), and Claudia Fernández with Sofía Araújo (No. 4). And, in a rare turn of events, Paula Josemaría and Ari Sánchez could find themselves… facing off against each other as early as the semifinals, depending on how the draw plays out.

In the men’s draw, the picture is similar: while Coello/Tapia remain the pair to beat and Chingotto/Galán the main obstacle, the year begins with returns, new pairings, and duos looking to find their tempo quickly. In other words: yesterday’s “second-stringers” have a window of opportunity to close in on the top spots, provided they pick up points early in the season.

Star Point Is Here: Why It Could Make a Difference Right from the First Week

Another major change: the introduction of the Star Point, a scoring format designed to limit drawn-out games. Specifically, as soon as the score is tied for the first time (40-40), the game proceeds through a three-step sequence: a first advantage, then a second if necessary, and finally a single decisive point (the “Star Point”) if the deuce is played again. The result: fewer scenarios where players trade points back and forth for five minutes on the same game, and more pressure on one or two “target” points.

To follow the brackets, order of play, and official results, please visit the following reference pages: Premier Padel – Riyadh Season P1 and FIP – Riyadh Season P1 2026 Tournament Profile. To understand the details of the Star Point system, the FIP has also published a comprehensive explanation: FIP – Star Point Overview.

See also on Actu Padel: Riyadh Season P1 2026: Dates, Formats, Pairs, and What’s at Stake.

To remember

• The tournament gets off to a fast tempo, with many matches played on grit and going to a third set.
• Ortega–Calvo made a strong debut with a quick and reassuring victory.
• Guichard/Blanqué are set for a big match-up against Coello/Tapia to kick off the season for the No. 1-ranked pair.
• The women’s draw has been completely reshuffled: the potential matchup between Paula Josemaría and Ari Sánchez is one of the week’s main storylines.
• The Star Point could change how key games are played as early as the first few rounds: every decisive point will count double.