A Significant Start, Even in Qualifying
The first round of qualifying is no disguised warm-up at a FIP Platinum. The stakes are simple: earn the right to continue, then string together matches the next day with an unforgiving format. For the Marseille event, the plan is clear: Monday, 1st qualifying round; Tuesday, 2nd and 3rd rounds, with the goal of reaching the main draw afterwards.
In Marseille, these qualifying matches are held at CAP7 Padel, before the turning point of the event at the Palais des Sports for the main draw.
Geens and Guichard Come Through: A Turning Point Match
Clément Geens and Dylan Guichard won in three sets, 6/2 6/7 6/2, after conceding a tiebreak in the second set. In this type of match, the story is often the same: you can dominate entire sequences, and still find yourself having to “revalidate” your advantage on just one or two point opportunities.
The Geens/Guichard pair converted more of their important opportunities, especially on break point (6 balls converted out of 10 obtained, against 2 out of 6 for the opponents), while finishing with a higher volume of points won (105 against 88) and winners (75 against 59). Another interesting detail: unforced errors remained almost identical (24 against 25), a sign that the difference was built elsewhere than in simple “give and take”.
Known Opponents in the 2nd Round: Font / Fuertes Leonardo
The next step is already identified: in the 2nd round, Geens/Guichard will face Marcel Font / Iago Fuertes Leonardo, winners over Hugounenq/Seux (7/6 6/3) in the 1st round.
The match is scheduled for Tuesday, February 3 at CAP7, in the morning session (order of play starting at 9 AM), suggesting a schedule dependent on the progress of matches on the courts.
To Follow Geens in Marseille
For the context and trajectory of this tournament, we also refer you to our presentation of Geens and Guichard’s entry in Marseille.
And for the official documents, two useful references:
- official FIP tournament page (info, structure, live/order of play tabs)
- order of play for Tuesday, February 3 (qualifying schedule)
- official tournament website (frame, visitor information, schedules)
