How to end an Americano with a final (or semis)
After the last Americano round, the top four can play a final: 1st and 3rd against 2nd and 4th. Bigger groups can add semi-finals for the top eight or quarter-finals for the top sixteen. The winners of the final win the night. The Americano table stays as it was, so nobody loses the points they earned.
Why play a final?
An Americano ends with a table of points. A final adds one last match for everyone to watch, and one pair who win the night.
Who plays the final?
The top four after the last round: 1st and 3rd against 2nd and 4th.
If 1st and 2nd played together, they would usually win.
What about semi-finals and quarter-finals?
| Knockout | Players in it | Games |
|---|---|---|
| Final | top 4 | 1 |
| Semi-finals | top 8 | 2 semis, then the final |
| Quarter-finals | top 16 | 4 quarters, 2 semis, then the final |
Pairs come in blocks of four down the table: 1st with 3rd and 2nd with 4th, then 5th with 7th and 6th with 8th, and so on. In the first knockout round the strongest pair meets the weakest.
How is it scored?
Most groups play games: first to 6, normal padel scoring, no draw. First to 4 is quicker. If time is short, play one more rally match to the usual total, with a deciding point if it ends level.
What happens to the Americano table?
Nothing. It keeps the regular rounds only, and the final adds the winners and runners-up on top.
What should I tell the group?
Say it before round 1: "After the last round, the top four play a final." Then everyone knows what they are playing for.
Next: late arrivals and no-shows.
Questions people ask
Who plays the final after an Americano?
The top four in the standings. The 1st and 3rd play together against the 2nd and 4th, which makes the two pairs as even as possible.
How are the semi-finals seeded after an Americano?
The top eight are paired in blocks of four, 1st with 3rd, 2nd with 4th, 5th with 7th and 6th with 8th. The semi-finals are then 1st and 3rd against 6th and 8th, and 2nd and 4th against 5th and 7th.
How is the final scored?
Most groups play it in games, first to 6 games, with no draw allowed. Some prefer one more rally match to the usual total, with a deciding point at a tie.
Does the final change the Americano standings?
No. The standings keep the regular rounds only. The final names the winners and runners-up of the night on top of the table.