Goñi In, Salazar Out as Spain Names Its World Cup Squads

Twenty-year-old Aimar Goni has been selected alongside Arturo Coello, Alejandro Galan, Juan Lebron, Mike Yanguas, Coki Nieto, Paquito Navarro and Jon Sanz. His power and suitability for the expected fast Doha conditions contributed to the decision.

Marta Ortega takes the final place in Spain's women's World Cup squad following strong recent form, including a Paris Major semifinal. Alejandra Salazar is omitted and will not play another World Cup before her planned retirement.

Thomas Leygue and Jesus Moya defeated Edu Alonso and Aimar Goni 6-7, 7-6, 7-6 in 2h28 without a service break in the match. Leygue is ranked 108th and Moya 143rd, while Alonso is 17th and Goni 32nd.

The men's team is Arturo Coello, Alejandro Galan, Juan Lebron, Mike Yanguas, Coki Nieto, Paquito Navarro, Jon Sanz and Aimar Goni. The women's team is Gemma Triay, Ari Sanchez, Paula Josemaria, Bea Gonzalez, Claudia Fernandez, Andrea Ustero, Martina Calvo and Marta Ortega.

Eight men's nations and six women's nations remain at Padel G24 as the European qualifying tournament moves from group play into its decisive knockout phase. Four Doha places remain available.

Great Britain's men and women and Germany's men and women all finished top of their qualifying groups. The British and German women's teams receive byes into Saturday's decisive World Cup qualification ties.

After saving match point to beat Lamperti and Alvarez, Leygue and Moya followed with a three-tiebreak victory over world No.17 Edu Alonso and No.32 Aimar Goni to reach the Lyon quarter-finals.

The next Premier Padel event is Rotterdam P2 at Ahoy. Men's qualifying begins on 27 September at 10:00, with the main draw beginning on 29 September.

Alejandra Salazar's omission from Spain's Doha squad is particularly significant because the 40-year-old is in the final months of her career. Marta Ortega was selected after a strong recent run that included the Paris Major semifinals.

Watch the men's ties Netherlands-Poland, Belgium-Bulgaria, Great Britain-Ukraine and Denmark-Germany, plus the women's Romania-Poland and Denmark-Greece ties.

Quarter-final play begins today from 11:00, with particular attention on whether Thomas Leygue and Jesus Moya can extend their remarkable run.

Watch the reaction to Aimar Goni's breakthrough selection and Alejandra Salazar's omission as Spain begins looking toward Doha.