The tournament's progress at a glance: the potential quarterfinal match-ups

Let's play with a crystal ball. The Italy Major Premier Padel event comes alive with the arrival on the scene of the best, and since we're truly speaking of the world's strongest, it's worth picturing the great matches that could entertain us at the weekend, starting from the quarterfinals.

In the first section of the draw, Spaniards Juan Lebron and Ale Galan, favourites to win the title along with Navarro/Di Nenno, should not find any obstacles in their first two rounds, after which they will presumably face no. 7-seeded Maximiliano Sanchez Aguero and Luciano Capra.

The two Argentines won their debut match but have not been fully convincing opposite Semmler and Sanchez. If they find good form along the way, they may stand up to their rivals, however, as seen in their last match against them a few days ago. That said, the chances that Galan/Lebron will be defeated before the final act in a big event like this are rather slim.

Moving on, again in the top half of the draw we find the torque of no. 5-seeded pair Fernando Belasteguin and Arturo Coello, aged 43 and 20, respectively. The presence of the 'Bela' phenomenon makes this quarter of the draw the most exciting one of all.

If the technically well-structured - yet odd due to the age gap -  pair are faithful to predictions, Friday the former no.1 in the world Lima and partner Stupaczuk will compete in the battle of the South Americans (three) and one Spaniard, showcasing one of the most spectacular matches so far.

At the bottom of the draw, two Argentines, Federico Chingotto and Juan Tello will in theory make it all the way to the quarterfinals, where they're likely to play Spain's Ruiz Gonzalez and Rico Dasi: the South Americans are favourites, but their victory isn't to be taken for granted and the Spaniards may pull off a surprise.

Theoretically, the outcome that is almost certain is in the last quarter of the draw, with Navarro and Di Nenno against Gonzalez and Ruiz. There could then be a revenge of Doha's final between Galan/Lebron and Navarro/Di Nenno, in which the no. 2 ranked pair lifted the trophy. In any case it would be great news for the honour roll in Rome, which would be inaugurated with two phenomenal Padel players.

QUARTERFINAL predictions

(1) Juan Lebron/Alejandro Galan (Spa) - (7) Maximiliano Sanchez/Luciano Capra (Arg)

(5) Fernando Belasteguin (Arg)/Arturo Coello (Spa) - (3) Stupaczuk Franco (Arg)/Pablo Lima (Bra)

(4) Federico Chingotto/Juan Tello (Arg) - (8) Javier Ruiz Gonzalez/Javier Rico Dasi (Spa)

(2) Francisco Navarro/Martin Di Nenno (Arg) - (6) Jeronimo Gonzalez/Alejandro Ruiz (Spa)