The FIP Bronze Montesilvano did not offer a French title, but it did provide a clear answer to the main question of the weekend: the trophies went to Emilio Sánchez Chamero / Alberto García Trabanco in the men’s category and Catarina Maria Baldi / Clarissa Margherita Aima in the women’s category. Behind this double disappointment, Dylan Guichard and Carla Touly confirmed their place in the final rounds of the international circuit.
Guichard / Cassetta, a frustrating final after a controlled campaign
In the men’s draw, Dylan Guichard and Marco Cassetta had real reason to believe. The Franco-Italian pair, seeded top seed 1, had come through the tournament in fine style, winning the first round 6/3 6/4 against Leonardo Abbate / Stefano Indomenico, then 7/6 6/3 against Tommaso Rufo / Tommaso Sarti, before a perfectly negotiated quarterfinal against Pablo Reina Ambel / Hector Vazquez Lopez, 6/2 6/3.
The semifinals were more tense, but revealed their mental solidity: two tie-breaks won against Giulio Graziotti / Simone Iacovino to validate a logical place in the final. At this stage, Guichard and Cassetta seemed to have the cards in their hands, especially as the Italian had just won the FIP Silver in Bari a week earlier.
The final, however, went in favor of Emilio Sánchez Chamero / Alberto García Trabanco. The Spaniards, seeded second, won 6/4 7/5. For Guichard, the result inevitably left him with some regrets: the favourite pair missed out on the last step, but the week confirmed the current level of the Frenchman, already established as a French reference on the international tour. Our portrait of Dylan Guichard, from Breton tennis to padel, sheds some useful lighting on his recent progress.
Touly / Sussarello: a new final, but an Italian wall
On the ladies’ side, Carla Touly and Giulia Sussarello also reached the final with a consistent performance. After a withdrawal in the first round, the Frenchwoman and her Italian partner dominated Maria Laura Ferreyra / Dora Chamli 6/3 6/1 in the quarterfinals, before recording their big result of the weekend: a 6/1 7/5 victory over top seed Lorena Vano / Xenia Clasca Vidiella.
The final against Catarina Maria Baldi / Clarissa Margherita Aima promised to be an open affair, but the Italians quickly set the tempo. Sharper in the transition zones and more effective in the important moments, they won 6/3 6/2. For Touly, this defeat seemed like a paradoxical continuation: another final, another very solid week, but still no title this time.
Despite this, the Frenchwoman confirmed her valuable consistency. Already a finalist in Rivesaltes in April, she has shown that she can string together different tables, vary her partners and remain competitive in the final stages of tournaments. In terms of the game, this stability is important: it reflects her ability to hold the diagonal, defend with patience, then accelerate as soon as the rally opens up.
Two lost finals, but a positive review for France
The raw review is simple: no French title at the FIP Bronze Montesilvano. But the sporting picture is more nuanced. In this mixed event held in Montesilvano, with a prize fund announced at €8,500 by the tournament’s official page, Guichard and Touly came away with points, tempo and a confirmed presence in the matches that count.
On a tour where every draw can be turned point by point, this repeat of the finals sends out a strong signal. The next step is clear: turn these busy weeks into titles, without losing what is already their strength, namely a real ability to exist in the most challenging international tournaments.
To remember:
- Guichard / Cassetta lost the men’s final to Sánchez Chamero / García Trabanco, 6/4 7/5.
- Touly / Sussarello lost the women’s final to Baldi / Aima, 6/3 6/2.
- The two Frenchmen confirmed their consistency on the FIP Tour, even if the title still eluded the French clan in Montesilvano.
