Tennis, 16th edition of the international senior + tournament: Alain Vaysset held his own

For once, there were plenty of people on Friday at the international seniors + tournament. Perhaps because the weather, much milder than last weekend, allowed participants and their companions to get out and enjoy the rose-lined courts of the CAP tennis padel.

And since almost all the French players have met at least once at this tournament and also cross paths at other events, we can sometimes overhear interesting conversations. Because, it must be said, the Périgueux International Seniors + Tournament is also an opportunity to discover the city, the Dordogne department, and the region. So some had a date with castles this Friday, "you have to take a walk," assured one of the participants.

However, nearly thirty matches took place, including the doubles in the afternoon, but also two very popular finals. Xavier Paries' match against Ollivier Lemal (seeded number 2) in the 65 and over category, and the clash between two members of the French team in the 75 and over category: Alain Vaysset (seeded number 1) and Bernard Leroy (seeded number 3). The first final was won by Lemal (6-1, 7-6).

Vaysset at the end of the end

More than an hour late, at around 12:30 p.m., Alain Vaysset and Bernard Leroy took their places on court number 6 for the second big match of the day. The two men, who know each other well, exchanged a few balls before the favorite, the number 1 seed, asked the spectators for silence. Concentration, service, and a very easy 15-0. Alain Vaysset quickly scored two points, then two more after a slight awakening from Leroy. Trailing 5-1 in the first game, the latter took advantage of his opponent's errors to come back to 5-2 before Vaysset won the set in more than 30 minutes.

But Bernard Leroy, stung, held his own in the second game. He led 6 games to 5 and had set point. That was without counting on Alain Vaysset. Imperious until then with a flawless run, the French champion quickly came back to 6-6. A close match, but "a real final," smiled Mary Jane Marty, tournament director. In a final point, in front of nearly forty onlookers, Alain Vaysset raised his fist in anger and, above all, victory (6-2, 7-6).

Easy favorites

The men's over-80 final was also held. Serge Andres, seeded number 3, made short work of Fancis Meplomb (6-0, 6-1). In the women's 70+ category, Marie-Christine Lamoureux defeated Suzanne Duvauferrier (6-2, 6-1). Martine Monlibert and Françoise Andieu (75+) went to a tiebreak, and it was ultimately the favorite, Martine Monlibert, who won (6-2, 3-6, 10-8).