Defending champions Ale Galan and Juan Lebron had a more complicated start than expected in this Greenweez Paris Major. They showed two faces in this 16th final, first that of the peaceful Dr Jekyll, then that of the ruthless Mr Hyde

Yet we did not give much of the skin of the 25e FIP ranking pair, Spaniards Diego Gil and Ignacio “Nachi” Sager. If the latter have sometimes committed surprising faults at this level, they nevertheless scored nearly 60% of the points played during the first eight games of the first set.

Two missed set points for Gil / Sager

They were the ones who made the first break at their first opportunity, while the No. 1s ran behind the score. Leading 5/2 then 5/3, the outsiders even had two set points, including a failed drop shot attempt from Diego, who can blame himself. Because after three break points saved, Lebron and Galan converted the fourth to return to 4/5.

Returning to five games everywhere, Galan and Lebron made the forcing and, despite a new good resistance from Gil / Sager, the latter gave up his service. Lebron then won his and concluded the set, despite a smash hit from the slice going directly into the public. And a foot fault counted by the referee on the set ball…

A two-faced set, with five consecutive games won by Mariano Amat's players, who reversed the initial ratio with ultimately 53% of the points in their favour.

Each point requires an achievement

 At the start of the second round, Sager and Gil are tempted to overplay to finally unlock their counter. They make some spectacular shots but are too inconstant against favorites who don't let go. Impressive in defense as in attack, Galan and Lebron stand out 2/0 then 3/0, with two new breaks in passing.

The continuation and end of the match is one-sided. To score even a point, Diego and Ignacio must achieve a feat every time. In this exercise, their success rate plunges and leaves room for far too much waste, like those drop shots that Sager tries (and misses) in desperation.

Opposite, the n°1 are at 70% of points won in this set. And even when Sager recovers a par 3 from Lebron, Galan is still there to conclude and finish discouraging the young Spaniards. The match ends in an expeditious manner, in 1:09, with no less than 11 straight games scored by Galan and Lebron.

After 40 years of tennis, Jérôme falls into the pot of padel in 2018. Since then, he thinks about it every morning while shaving… but never shaves pala in hand! Journalist in Alsace, he has no other ambition than to share his passion with you, whether you speak French, Italian, Spanish or English.

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