The United States took a big step towards qualification by pocketing the double ladies. The pair Ena Shibahara-Ashley Lahey beat the French Alice Bacquie and Mallaurie Noël (4-6, 6-2, 10-8).
In team competitions, doubles are the most important and cruel matches. Alice Bacquie and Mallaurie Noël have had the bitter experience. They gave in the super tie-break against the American team (10-8). The coach Cyrille Monet regrets the beginning of the last round: “We start from too far. Take 5-1, 6-2. They glue, it’s good. But save 4 consecutive match points is not easy.
However, the pair tricolor had ideally started the game by removing the first round (6-4). But the Americans reacted immediately. “The opponents have raised their level of play. On our side, we made bad choices,” says the French coach.
We know the rest. A super tight tie-break, a noisy audience, spectacular points. As at 9-7 where the French win the point after touching the net twice. But nothing works: the Americans conclude on a last fault French. “It’s the most fun game I’ve ever played,” said Ashley Lahey, who was very happy at the end of the match. I fought on every point. It was very stressful. You have to know how to put your fear aside to win the last point.
The United States lead 3-2 against France
Theo Dorangeon and Thomas Ginesta
Photo: Laurent Majurel