Toulouse. Bastien Blanqué and Thomas Leygue keep their heads held high
The Stadistes, seeded N.5, reached the final without losing a set. They surrendered in three rounds against the N.1 pair in the table.
“Ask us to be among the contenders for the title.” This is what we told Bastien Blanqué and Thomas Leygue in the run-up to the French championships, played last week at the Win Win Padel in Cabriès, near Aix-en-Provence. On arrival, the Stade Toulousain duo did not go far from the sacred with a defeat in the final.
Seeded N.5, the Stadistes started the competition on the right foot with four wins until the half without giving up any overall. “We felt really good. On our level of play, it was clearly in the continuity of what we had produced a week earlier (in Yvelines, Editor’s note) by winning our first title together,” says Bastien. For his part, Thomas returns to the table that was offered to them: “As the seed of N.5, we had what to expect a difficult course. And we did indeed have a large part of the table. everything, on paper, except maybe the future winners, we were confident. “
A special reunion in the final
Triple reigning French champion alongside Johan Bergeron (2017-2018-2019; the 2020 edition had been canceled due to the health crisis), Bastien was entitled in the final to a specially special reunion with his former teammate, partner to Benjamin Tison: “Of course, it feels weird to play against Johan. But everyone made their game. There was no problem during the game. He was a player like any other.” But facing the N.1 seed, the last step was too high (6-3, 3-6, 7-5) for the Toulouse. “We had a lot of break points. However, we missed the opportunity to finish the points at the right time,” continues Bastien. “Indeed, we had some hiccups in the important moments. The score shows all the same that the match was balanced. Our rivals were better on details. They deserve their victory”, summarizes Thomas.
However, the stadist pair can hold their heads high: “At the time, there is sadness. But we are proud of our course. In this championship, we have offered an exceptional level of play. On the mental level, we have been good. ” This Sunday, the two friends will try to confirm, this time on the Word Padel Tour, with a stage in Menorca (Spain).
