Lodz, Poland – The Spanish contingent at the Polish Open, an International Challenge tournament on the European circuit, concluded its run on Saturday with a hard-fought defeat for the men’s doubles team of Adolfo López and Rodrigo Sanjurjo. The pair fell to Czechs Vojtech Havlicek and Tomas Svejda in the round of 16, 22-20, 19-21, 17-21.
The match, played at the Hala Sportowa Mosir-Lodz 2 stadium, proved to be a tightly contested affair, decided by small margins and showcasing the Spanish duo’s resilience against a solid opponent. This marked the end of their participation in the tournament, which ran from March 19-23, 2026, and offered $17,500 in prize money.
The first game saw the Czech team initially establish a significant lead, pulling ahead to a 15-9 advantage. However, López and Sanjurjo mounted a spirited comeback, stringing together a series of points to close the gap to 14-15. They then edged ahead, taking a 17-16 lead before a back-and-forth exchange that ultimately saw the Spanish pair clinch the set 22-20.
The second game began with the Czechs again taking the initiative, building a substantial lead at the interval, 11-4. López and Sanjurjo once more demonstrated their fighting spirit, leveling the score at 13-13 and remaining competitive until the very end. They came within striking distance at 18-19, but the Czechs managed to close out the set 21-19, forcing a decisive third game.
The third and final game was the most closely fought of the three, with minimal separation on the scoreboard and constant shifts in momentum. The Czechs held a slight advantage at the mid-game mark, 11-10, and managed to create a small gap. However, López and Sanjurjo battled back to equalize at 15-15 and 16-16. With the score tied at 17-17, a strong finishing run from the Czechs sealed the victory, 21-17.
Despite the loss, the Spanish men’s doubles team delivered a competitive performance throughout the tournament, reaching the round of 16 and demonstrating promising form in a demanding European circuit event. Their ability to recover from deficits and challenge a strong Czech pairing underscores their potential for future success.
This tournament marks another step in the development of López and Sanjurjo as a doubles team. Badminton fans will be watching to see how they build on this experience as they continue to compete on the international stage. The Polish Open serves as a key event for players aiming to gain ranking points and qualify for larger tournaments later in the season.
The Spanish team’s performance at the Polish Open, while ending in defeat, provides valuable experience and insight as they prepare for upcoming challenges. The duo’s resilience and competitive spirit were on full display, offering a positive outlook for their future endeavors in the sport.
Next up for López and Sanjurjo is expected to be the Orleans Masters in April, another International Challenge event. Details regarding their participation and the tournament schedule will be released by the Badminton Spain federation in the coming days. Fans can follow updates on the Badminton Spain website (https://www.badminton.es/) for the latest news and information.
