The first day of the French Open is well underway, and we’ve got new French Open Doubles Champions! The men’s doubles went according to seeding, whilst the women’s doubles had a surprise semi-final upset.
Eisler/Allègre win first French Open title
The top seeds for the women’s draw had a bye in the first round, so there were only two quarter-finals to be played. Bois/Cavé played Dutch sisters Sanne and Nienke Veldkamp. They won crucial points in badminton and squash, needing only eight points in tennis. The score was +21 (21-9 21-17 20-22 8-1). The other quarter-final was between eventual finalists Jaussein/Souin and Mariette/Vincent. Jaussein/Souin proved to be too strong in badminton and squash, after a close Table Tennis game. The score was +41 (21-18 21-2 21-2). Top seeds Allègre/Eisler played a very strong match against the French duo Bois/ Cavé, they won +23 before tennis (21-11 21-3 16-21). The other semi-final was between no 2 seeds Maldre/Postel and Jaussein/Souin. Jaussein/Souin caused an upset by beating the no 2 seeds +14 (10-21 21-5 21-12 8-8) proving especially strong in badminton. The final was especially close in badminton and squash. Allègre/Eisler took an early lead in Table Tennis, winning 21-7, before losing a tight badminton game 17-21. Squash was also very close, Allègre taking an 11-7 lead before Eisler closed it out 21-17. This meant they only needed eight points in tennis, which they took with some aggressive shots to win their first title. Fun fact is that they only met each other this morning and are already proving to be a winning pair. They were happy with how the match went, especially doing well in badminton in squash. The overall score was +15 (21-7 17-21 21-17 8-7).
Griffiths Brothers add another doubles title to their name
Luke and Leon Griffiths were the strongest in Paris today. They won their quarter-final +31 against the Swiss duo Schaefer/Strässle (21-14 21-3 21-15). They played their semi-finals against Ternon/Vaclahovsky. Ternon/Vaclahovsky overcame Mamié/van de Burgt +22 (17-21 21-14 21-3 1-0). Griffiths/Griffiths won table tennis 21-16, before playing some good solid badminton to take it 21-8. Squash was in favour of Ternon/Vaclahovsky, where Vaclahovsky did well to win 21-16 (after being 11-5 down at the change). After this Griffiths/Griffiths only needed 9 points in tennis which they did, taking it 9-5. The overall score was +17 (21-16 21-8 16-21 9-5). On the bottom half of the draw, Swiss duo Champod/Lenggenhager defeated Durand/Steyer +17 (21-5 21-17 11-21 12-5) before facing Cocriamont/Duthullié. Cocriamont/Duthullié won their quarter final against Carlier/Haynes, needing all 21 points in tennis. The score was +12 (11-21 21-16 21-14 21-11). Champod/Lenggenhager proved to strong for the French pair, only needing three points in tennis. The score was +21 (21-7 21-13 18-21 3-1). The final started with a close table tennis game, Champod/Lenggenhager took the first break in table tennis 11-8, but the Griffiths brothers fought back, going point for point. Eventually, Champod/Lenggenhager took TT 21-18. After that the Griffiths brothers were able to show their strengths in badminton and squash, winning 21-9 and 21-12. They only needed four points in tennis for the title and did just that. The overall score was +19 (18-21 21-9 21-12 4-3). After the final, Luke and Leon said they really enjoy playing together, especially as they know each other so well which can be crucial in doubles. They have the potential to face each other in the final of the men’s singles draw if they win all their matches.
