Spanish badminton players Jacobo Fernández and Alberto Perals reached the men’s doubles semifinals at the Navek Türkiye International Challenge 2026, securing a bronze finish after falling to India’s Suraj Goala and Nicholas Raj, Atlantico reported.
Semi-Final Exit in Istanbul After Strong Tournament Run
Fernández, representing Bádminton Cíes, and his partner Perals advanced to the final four of the international tournament held in Turkey. Seeded third in the men’s doubles draw, the Spanish pair earned a podium finish for the second tournament. Their run in Istanbul concluded with a 15-21, 16-21 defeat against Goala and Raj, who displayed greater consistency at the net and capitalized on fewer errors.
Hard-Fought Victories in Opening Rounds
The journey to the semifinals required navigating demanding matches against international competition. In the round of 16, Fernández and Perals engineered a comeback victory against Serbia’s Andrija Doder and Sergej Lukic, dropping the first game before winning the next two by scores of 20-22, 21-17, and 21-11. Doder and Lukic had traveled to Turkey following a tournament victory in Bulgaria the previous week.
In the quarterfinals, the Spanish duo defeated the United Arab Emirates pair of Bharath Latheesh—a former world junior number one—and Dev Vishnu in straight games, 23-21 and 21-11. The opening set required saving two set points before Fernández and Perals took control of the match.
Mixed Doubles Campaign Ends in Round of 16
Alongside his men’s doubles success, Jacobo Fernández also competed in the mixed doubles event partnered with Paula López. The pair faced Russia’s Maksim Ogloblin and Anastasiia Boiarun in the round of 16. Fernández and López exited the bracket in two tight sets, 13-21 and 19-21, coming close to forcing a deciding third set against the opponents who ultimately won the tournament.
Second Successive Podium Finish on the International Circuit
The bronze medal in Istanbul marks the second international podium finish for Fernández and Perals as they continue their competitive circuit schedule. The tournament concluded with Goala and Raj advancing to further rounds, while Ogloblin and Boiarun claimed the mixed doubles title.
