(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) Martin De Nenno who is yet to complete his high school and Franco Stupackzuk a full-time dedicated paddle tennis player defeated the more experienced team of Gervasio Del Bono and Julio Julianoti 6-4 6-2 before an appreciative crowd of supporters at the NAS Sports Complex.
Action during the futsal semi-finals on Friday. — Supplied photo
Youth prevailed over experience as the teenage pairing of Martin De Nenno and Franco Stupackzuk from Argentina overwhelmed the Brazilian duo of Julio Julianoti and Gervasio Del Bono to win the international paddle tennis competition in the Nad Al Sheba 2014 Sports Tournament here late on Friday.
Martin De Nenno who is yet to complete his high school and Franco Stupackzuk a full-time dedicated paddle tennis player defeated the more experienced team of Gervasio Del Bono and Julio Julianoti 6-4 6-2 before an appreciative crowd of supporters at the NAS Sports Complex.
The finalists were rewarded with trophies and cash prizes by Shaikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Sports Council in the presence of Shaikh Saeed bin Maktoum bin Juma Al Maktoum President of the newly-formed UAE Paddle Tennis Association (UAE PTA) and other top officials.
Martin De Nenno was thrilled at having achieved his dream of winning at a sporting destination such as Dubai. “This is our first visit to this part of the world and it has been such an amazing experience for both of us. Not only have we been spoilt by the organizers with such fantastic hospitality but we have also fulfilled our primary aim of winning a big competition and take back fond memories home” he said.
“For sure we will return and defend our title next year” added the 17-year-old Argentinean. Playing against the Brazilian pair of Julio Julianoti and Gervasio Del Bono was always going to be tricky for the Argentinean teenagers. Though they registered an early break in the first set Julio Julianoti and Gervasio Del Bono bounced back to draw level 2-2. But Martin and Franco had a second break after which they took the set 6-4.
Struggling with a left shoulder injury things got tough for Julio Julianoti while his coach and playing partner began showing signs of tiredness. “They were the better pair tonight and they deserved to win this title” conceded Gervasio Del Bono who has his own paddle tennis academy in Porto Alegre in Southern Brazil. In the team competition it was the Sheikh Saeed Bin Hasher Al Maktoum-led Hala Madrid team all the way with a 2-1 triumph over NAS team.
Meanwhile two of the finest exponents of the sport Ricardinho from Portugal and Brazilian star Falcao will come face to face in the futsal final as Fohood Zabeel takes on Al Jokar on Sunday.
Fohood Zabeel thrashed Fohood Jumeirah 5-3 while Al Jokar defeated Al Markaz 3-1 to set a meeting in the final that will bring down the curtains on this year’s competition late on Sunday.
The NAS 2014 Sports Tournament is sponsored by Emirates Dubai Duty Free Meydan Al Tayer Motors Al Naboodah and Arabian Automobiles Al Rostamani.
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