First match day, this Sunday, at the BNC Tennis Open 2024 in Nouméa. The Caledonian Jalane Salaün was eliminated in three rounds, after a very close two-hour match.
He will not have been unworthy. After a great battle, Jalane Salaün left the Wanaro N'Godrella court defeated, this December 29, during the qualifications for the BNC Tennis Open 2024, which takes place at Ouen-Toro, in Nouméa. At the end of a match lasting more than two hours, the young tennis player lost in three sets against the Australian Cade Birrel: 1-6, 7-5, 6-3. But with the feeling of having given everything.
“I'm quite disappointed with the defeat. The heat got to me a bit. The sun too”, confides the 16-year-old player, who nevertheless says he is satisfied. “It’s a good match and I’m quite happy.”
He can really be satisfied and proud of his part.
Pierre-Henri Guillaume, coach of Jalane Salaün
However, the game had started perfectly. In just over twenty minutes, the first round was in Jalane's pocket. But his rival Cade Birrel woke up in time and the Caledonian machine seized up. In the stands, Jalane's loved ones kept hope until the end, like his mother, “there to encourage him”.
More experienced, Birrel ended up losing the match in the third set. Australia realizes the two break points. Victory depends on the details. Enough to impress the coach of the Caledonian selection, Pierre-Henri Guillaume. “It was remarkable! He played a great game. He engaged in a real showdown, a real battle with his opponent who obviously had a lot more experience than him. So I see a lot of positives (..). He can really be satisfied and proud of his game.”
Qualifying continues this Monday morning on the Ouen Toro courts. Jalane Salaün will play doubles again in the evening with Benoît Paire.
The report by Mathieu Ruiz-Barraud and Nicolas Fasquel
©newcaledonia
France
Tennis
