They were on the courts more often than the players. For the first day of the Blois International Tennis Championships this Sunday, June 16, dedicated to qualifications, the 18 people in charge of maintenance kept watch over the clay courts like milk on fire.
The cause was the rain that fell early in the morning, which had the effect of postponing the start of the matches from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. A short respite made it possible to launch three matches, out of the 12 planned, between noon and two before the showers definitively confirmed the program for this day.
Isaac Lhomond in difficulty, Bouquet off to a good start
“With the rain, the players mark the clay more, creating small holes in places that must be quickly absorbed by passing the net if we want to maintain the good condition of the surface,” specifies Gilles Villedieu. The retiree knows what he is talking about. He has been giving his time to the Blois International for around ten years and has been doing the same at Roland-Garros for eight years.
Take care of the courts, especially in the very humid conditions.
© (Photo NR, Nicolas Rimbaux)
We can count on him and his team to best prepare the three official pitches this week, and even four this Monday, because the weather forecast remains uncertain.
For these first three meetings, two concerned the Tricolores. If Lucas Bouquet hits the mark against the Russian Zakharov (6-4, 0-6, 5-3), the matter is more complicated for the regional player of the stage, Isaac Lhomond.
The young Tourangeau – 18 years old in September – conceded the first round against the Australian Blake Bayldon and was struggling in the second before the interruption. “It’s a bit of a special day: I had prepared for another match (editor’s note: against Frenchman Kenny de Schepper, forfeited the same morning) and finally, I take a player who serves and volleys. »
Faced with the ultra-aggressive Australian, the TC Tours licensee had difficulty adjusting and sometimes showed annoyance. “There are very few strikes, it’s quite frustrating. However, as soon as the exchange takes place, I win the points. »
A very busy schedule this Monday
He has the night to find the key and perhaps win, from 10 a.m. this Monday, his first match on the Challenger circuit (the second division of tennis), he who benefits from a wild card (an invitation) of from the organizers.
The program for the second day promises to be very busy with no less than 14 singles matches and 6 doubles matches. To advance the table, the matches will be played on a fourth court. At least if the weather permits.
“A day of bad weather is completely manageable, what’s more complicated is when they come one after the other”notes Stéphane Dauberlieu.
The new director of Internationals was still on the phone on Sunday evening to find training grounds in neighboring clubs. “For a first day, it’s quite a baptism! »
QUALIFICATIONS
Central: from 10 a.m., Lhomond (FRA) – Bayldon (AUS, n° 20246) (3-6, 3-3); Statham (NZ, n° 693) – Okra (SVQ, n° 557); Merida (ESP, n° 395) – Beauge (FRA, n° 672).
Court 1: from 10 a.m., Zakharov (RUS, n° 506) – Bouquet (FRA, n° 686) 4-6, 6-0, 3-5; Fancutt (AUS, n° 792) – Banthia (IND, n° 1041); Bax (FRA, n° 652) – Zheng (USA, n° 554);
Court 2: from 10 a.m., Karlovskiy (RUS, no. 477) – Ojakaar (EST, no. 619); Iannaccone (ITA, n° 483) – Ghibaudo (FRA, n° 760); Pacheco Mendez (MEX, n° 423) – Potenza (IRA, n° 448).
Court 3: from 10 a.m., Privara (SVQ, no. 699) – Guerrieri (ITA, no. 559); Butvilas (LIT, n° 451) – Setodji (FRA, n° 801); Inchauspe (FRA, n° 1721) – Berrettini (ITA, n° 715).
MAIN TABLE
Central: not before 5 p.m., Gea (FRA, n° 376) – Faurel (FRA, n° 1975);
Court 1: not before 5 p.m., Landaluce (ESP, n° 312) – Tabur (FRA, n° 236).
© (NR drawing)
