Lucas Pouille (102nd) experienced hard times this Saturday but eventually joined the final of Play In Challenger Lille 2025. Player from Loon-Plage badly started his semi-final against Valentin Royer (208th), and lost the first set 3-6. Sometimes in difficulty with his backhand, player from North of France was able to rely on a good serve (16 aces on the whole match, out of which 9 in the second set) to come back to one set all (6-4). If he took the lead as of the beginning of the third set with a double break, Pouille was a bit nervous to conclude. But the seventh match point wil have been the right one to win 3-6, 6-4, 6-2 (1h58). « I was tired. I did not sleep after 3 am, I had pain at the bottom of the back», explained Lucas Pouille after the meeting. A victory thanks to the his experience and his mental against Valentin Royer, who will have shown very positive things.
The fantastic week of Arthur Bouquier
Lucas Pouille will be faced this Sunday, in final, to an opponent no one expected in Lille: Arthur Bouquier (neither himself), 424th, totaly unknown from the people, who was the revelation of the week. 24 years player, coming from qualifying draw, ousted Benjamin Bonzi (62nd), top seed of the tournament, in the second round. He confirmed on Friday in quarter finals against Tom Paris and this Saturday, in semi-final against Calvin Hemery (212nd, 7-6, 4-6, 6-4, 1h56), that he was not there to do figuration. « All is new for me … it is incredible. I have never played in front of such a lot of people, I am just dreaming», said Arthur Bouquier, as proud as emotional after his victory. « If this is the most beautiful week of my life? I can not do better. I have never experienced something so intense from an emotional point of view», commented the player from Lons-le-Saunier.
He will try his dream to keep going on this Sunday (3pm) in final, being well aware that the step will be even more higher against Lucas Pouille, former top 10, he was watching him on TV in Grand slam as he was younger.
