Stupaczuk and Di Nenno corner Doha glory in style

Franco Stupaczuk and Martin Di Nenno yesterday delivered a memorable performance to win the Ooredoo Qatar Major 2023 title after beating arch-rivals Fernando Belasteguin and C Daniel Gutierrez in a hard-fought final.
In what was an all-Argentine final, Stupackzuk and Di Nenno looked the part as they won 6-2, 7-6 (5) in 1 hour and 53 minutes on the centre court at the iconic Khalifa Tennis and Squash Complex.
Seeded second in Doha this week, Stupackzuk and Di Nenno lifted the golden racket trophies and got richer by €94,500, the top prize at the 64-player event.
The prizes were handed over to the four finalists by Sheikh Ali bin Jabor al-Thani, CEO of Ooredoo Qatar, Qatar Tennis, Squash, Badminton and Padel Federation (QTSBPF) president Nassel al-Khelaifi, and QTSBPF secretary-general Tariq Zainal.
“We are extremely happy with our performances in Doha this week,” Stupackzuk said after the final. “This was a tough week as we played so many tough matches. We are very pleased that we managed to win the title at this wonderful court,” Stupackzuk added. “We love coming here,” he said.
Di Nenno said yesterday: “First of all, it is great to be here. We are very happy by winning the final. We were really playing tough opponents. It is not easy playing against them. To win for the second time, it feels really great.”
Belasteguin said: “We are content with what we have achieved this week. Yes, we couldn’t win the final but overall we had a great time in Doha. I like playing here. It is a great tournament.”
Gutierrez said: “We are happy. I am happy. I have to say we are satisfied with our performance. We tried to fight until the last point. We gave our best in the entire tournament. I thought we had a chance when we were 4-all in the tie-break (of the second set). I’m really happy to have played in the final here in Doha in front of a wonderful crowd at Qatar Major”
The hugely popular tournament was organised by QTSBPF. Brazil’s Pablo Lima – playing his final season in a long career – was honoured with a memento to recognise his services by the QTSBPF on Saturday.
This was the second time Doha welcomed the world’s premier padel players for a top event at Khalifa Tennis and Squash Comlex where the tennis courts are refitted with padel playing surfaces and equipment.