Cristian Gutiérrez's ill-timed injury

Fernando Belasteguín and Pablo Lima won the title at the Estrella Damm Palma de Mallorca Open, but the main protagonist of the final was, without a doubt, Cristian Gutiérrez.

The Siux player was forced to retire early due to an unfortunate injury that prevented him from continuing to compete alongside his partner Juan Martín Díaz at the beginning of the second set.

Curiously, until that moment, Cristian was the best player of the match, and the public gathered in the stands of Son Moix recognized this with a resounding ovation, chanting his name for several minutes when he announced he could not continue.

With his Siux Alien, Cristian Gutiérrez offered a recital of magical shots that left two energetic fighters like Lima and Bela almost exhausted.

The player from Mar del Plata shone from minute one. Aware that he would be the main target of his opponents, Cristian began by spreading magic, defending very well and defining even better, while his partner tried to 'catch' something.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bLUG2jB8JrA

Duel of magicians

Gutiérrez and Juan Martín had the number 1 players on the ropes in the first set of the final. They even led 4-1, thanks mainly to Gutiérrez's play (the best player of the tournament), whom Bela and Lima sought with their lobs again and again.

Even so, the number 1 players ended up winning the first set in the tie-break, which extended to a final 10-8. The intensity of the game ended up taking its toll on Cristian Gutiérrez, who at the beginning of the second set requested the assistance of the physiotherapist for an overload in the calf of his left leg.

Massage and bandage on the calf of his left leg could not mitigate the intense pain. The Siux player returned to the court only to say that he couldn't continue, while receiving a standing ovation from the entire stadium, chanting his name and acknowledging his effort.

The tournament ended this way with the fourth title of the season for Bela and Lima, who continue to dominate the 2016 World Padel Tour ranking with almost insulting authority.

Bela: "A victory that doesn't taste good"

The two winners regretted winning this way. "It's the first time this has happened to me, that an opponent retires. It could have gone their way. It's a victory that doesn't taste good because when a colleague gets injured... I hope they continue to put on a great show in the next tournaments," said Belasteguín.

The next stop on the 2016 World Padel Tour will be in a few days with the Valladolid Open.