Three matches to book a place in the second round
Thomas Leygue and Clément Geens came through qualifying at the London P1 before entering the main draw. Their opening match had started badly, with Geens and Leygue trailing 4/1 in the first set. They turned the match around before winning their final qualifying round.
Against Alvaro Cepero and Agustin Torre, they lost the opening set before claiming a 3/6 6/3 6/4 victory. Geens is ranked world No. 81. Thomas Leygue, aged 24, is No. 167. Their opponents are ranked 51st and 59th. The pair had already won the FIP Rise in Mol together, as well as a match at the 2025 Qatar Major.
The first Premier Padel tournament staged in the United Kingdom is being held at Olympia London, across four courts. The opening day also saw Britain’s Christian Medina Murphy and Alberto García Jiménez defeat Agustin Gutiérrez and Santino Giuliani 6/2 6/2.
Trailing 4/2, Geens and Leygue turn the match around
The 6/3 opening-set defeat did not reflect how Geens felt about the match. The pair had created several chances on return, while Cepero and Torre converted their first break point. Despite their frustration, the Belgian and the Frenchman did not feel that they were out of the contest.
We lost the first set 6/3, but we had a lot of chances on return. They broke us with their first break point. We were frustrated, but we still felt that we were playing well and that there was room to do something.
From there, they followed the coach’s plan, focused on the point in front of them and continued to encourage each other. The decisive moment came in the third set. Trailing 4/2, Leygue and Geens won the final four games. In their third match in London, they once again found a way to respond in a difficult moment.
Clément Geens reflects on the start of their London run
Speaking after the match, Clément Geens took the time to answer our questions about the victory alongside Thomas Leygue and the next stage of their London P1 campaign.
What is your assessment of qualifying and the first round?
We are very happy to win a round in the main draw in London. We played two good matches in qualifying. I started the first one badly, as we were trailing 4/1, but we went on to win 6/4 6/3. In the final qualifying round, we played solidly from start to finish. We also felt that we had a chance against Cepero and Torre.
Why did you keep believing after losing the first set?
We had not started that badly. We had several chances on their service games and they broke us with their first opportunity. We had to deal with the frustration and stay committed to the game plan. We felt that the match was still open.
How did you turn the third set around after trailing 4/2?
We followed the coach’s tactics and tried to stay focused on every point. We encouraged each other right until the end. Coming back after trailing 4/2 makes the victory even more satisfying.
How are you approaching the next round against Juan Lebrón and Leo Augsburger?
They are a stronger team on paper and one of the top four pairs. I have already played Lebrón several times and Augsburger once, when he was partnered with Alex Chozas. Dylan and I lost in three sets. We will prepare the tactics with Thomas and the coach, then give everything we have.
Lebrón and Augsburger, the No. 3 seeds
Juan Lebrón and Leo Augsburger are the No. 3 seeds at the London P1. The Spaniard is ranked fifth in the world and the Argentine sixth. After receiving a first-round bye, they will begin their tournament against Leygue and Geens.
Against Juan Lebrón and Leo Augsburger, Geens and Leygue will need to hold serve, avoid giving away too many easy balls at the net and remain patient in the rallies. The quality of their returns and lobs will be one of the keys to the match.
The official schedule places the match sixth on Centre Court, after Chingotto-Galán against Abbate-Montiel. Clément Geens also enjoyed the atmosphere on the main court and the organisation of the tournament. Against Lebrón and Augsburger, the two players will need to be fully involved from the opening point.
After coming through qualifying, Leygue and Geens have already won their opening main-draw match by recovering from 4/2 down in the third set. The challenge against Lebrón and Augsburger will be much tougher. They will try to build on the confidence gained since the start of the tournament.
