a press section of a paper machine through which a paper web has a substantially closed and supported draw including an extended - nip zone and an equalizing - nip zone following the extended - nip zone in the running direction of the web . in the equalizing - nip zone , the asymmetry of roughness is equalized that was formed in the web to be pressed in the preceding press nip or nips , while not dewatering the web to a substantial extent . the extended - nip zone and the equalizing - nip zone are formed between three press components which are interconnected in a compact way so that the extended nip is formed by a press component provided with a flexible mantle together with a press roll provided with a rigid mantle . the press roll with the rigid mantle also forms the equalizing - nip zone together with a smooth - faced equalizing - press roll . after the equalizing - nip zone , the web has at least one free draw or runs on a transfer fabric , on which draw or run , by a difference in speed , the stretch of the web in the machine direction , taking place in the equalizing - press nip is compensated for and the web is kept appropriately tensioned .