The week ends with regrets, but also some positives for French women on the  FIP Tour .  Steffi Merah  came very close to her first international title at  FIP Bronze Baku , While  Carla Toully  stopped in the semi-finals of the  FIP Silver Belfast .

Merah/Gorito upset in the final in Baku

A very nice journey for  Steffi Merah  au  FIP Bronze Baku Associated with the Portuguese  Constança Gorito The Frenchwoman was competing in her  first career final on the FIP Tour Facing the number 1 seed,  Daria Kucheriavaia / Barbara Las Heras The Franco-Portuguese pair lost in three sets:  2/6 6/2 6/3 .

The start of the match had been ideal. Merah and Gorito won the first set.  6/2  and were getting closer to a big upset. But the number 1 seed then reacted, raised his voice, and regained control of the final to win in three sets.

Inevitably frustrating for  Red who came close to winning her first title on the international circuit. But the overall result remains very positive: a first final, a victory in the quarter-final against a pair who had beaten her two months earlier in China, then a solid victory against the 2nd seed in the semi-final.

With this finale,  Steffi Merah  leaves Baku with  22 FIP points , an important result for the rest of his season.

Touly/Bellver stopped at the gates of the final

Au  FIP Silver Belfast ,  Carla Toully  and the Spanish  Sandra Bellver  had played a very clean tournament so far. Seeded 4th, they had initially dominated  Carmen Ibáñez / Coral Alvarez  on the score of  6 / 0 6 / 0 , before confirming their form in the quarter-final against  Nora Leinus / Alise Cernecka  with a win  7 / 5 6 / 0 .

In the semi-final, the challenge was greater against the number 2 seed,  Marina Lobo / Claudia Escacena Montero Touly and Bellver put up a good fight, especially in a very close second set, but ultimately lost.  6 / 4 7 / 6 .

A frustrating defeat, as the final wasn't that far away. But the tournament remains interesting, with another semi-final on a  FIP Silver  and valuable points gained.

Benjamin Dupouy

I discovered padel directly during a tournament, and frankly, I didn't really like it at first. But the second time, it was love at first sight, and since then, I haven't missed a single match. I'm even ready to stay up until 3am to watch a final of Premier Padel !