A final that changed tempo without changing winners
Scheduled from March 27 to 29 at TSB Valenciennes, this P1000 logically led to a final between the top two seeds. And in this match for the title, Pierre Perez Le Tiec and Maxime Deloyer confirmed what their weekend had already shown: a pair capable of playing fast when needed, but above all of controlling the dips.
The first set quickly turned to their advantage. Deloyer hurt on the diagonal, notably with a heavy vibora that pushed Paul Forichon back, while Perez Le Tiec locked up the exchange with great accuracy. As a result, the top seed 1 took the ball early, set the pace and cruised to 6/2 without letting the match settle in doubt.
The second set told a very different story. Eliot Deknuydt went up a notch in intensity, Forichon regained his percussion and the outsiders took control. More aggressive with the smash, more present in the transitions, they pushed the favourites to defend more and even opened up a real window to take this final into a third set. But it was precisely here that Perez Le Tiec and Deloyer reminded us why they were expected: no panic, a tighter game, more ball length, then a tiebreak better negotiated than their opponents.
A first joint title that validates their status
This success is not just a trophy. It also tells the story of how this pair managed their tournament. As the FFT noted in its weekly review, Perez Le Tiec and Deloyer left Valenciennes with their first P1000 title together, without having retired a single set. On a French on tour where weekends are often decided by a few poorly negotiated games, this consistency carries a lot of weight.
Beyond the final, their week in Valenciennes was above all marked by a real continuity of level, as Perez Le Tiec and Deloyer won the tournament without dropping a single set. Even when Deknuydt and Forichon raised the tempo, took the initiative and tried to turn the match on its head, the top seed remained cleaner in its choices. In padel, you can win a lot of points by taking risks; titles are often won by choosing the right moments to accelerate. In Valenciennes, that’s exactly what Perez Le Tiec and Deloyer did.
The unfortunate finalists will have a few regrets, in particular about the second set, which they held in their hands in sequences. But their run remains solid, and their ability to keep the favourites on their toes for almost an hour shows that they belonged at this level. On the other hand, the most consistent pair in the tournament held serve to expectations right to the end.
To remember:
- Pierre Perez Le Tiec and Maxime Deloyer win the final 6/2 7/6.
- Top seed 1 finishes the tournament without losing a set.
- This is their first P1000 title together.
- Deknuydt and Forichon shook up the final in a much more competitive second set.
