Opinion – Demo by Carlos Alcaraz, first title in Nantes in more than twenty years, descent into the inferno of Bordeaux … Discover the peaks and failures of the sports department in Figaro.
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Alcaraz, he’s totally insane
The best player in the world today is Carlos Alcaraz! This phenomenon does not cease to amaze the world of tennis. After dominating Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic in Madrid, which was a first on clay in the same tournament, the 19-year-old Iberian prodigy outperformed third world player Alexander Zverev, but very comfortable, in the final in the Spanish capital. The defending champion who maintained 13 consecutive victories at Central Court Manolo Santana, lost in one hour 6-3, 6-1 by Hurricane Murcia. His falling shots and kicking services disgusted the German giant. Alcaraz handed itself the fourth trophy of its season, the second Masters 1000 in 2022 after Miami. The pressure didn’t seem to have taken hold of him. With confidence, the phenomenon, indomitable in five finals competing for the big ring, is certainly indefatigable. 6 hours of playing in two days against monsters Nadal and Djokovic did not affect him. It was a great future at the beginning of the year. It became gruesome for the competition in a matter of weeks. Enough to make him the favorite for the upcoming Roland Garros tournament, even if Nadal remains the best player in history on clay and Djokovic, the best ever, when he is 100% physically and mentally…
Read alsoTennis: ‘ATP job was an absolute shame’, Zverev attacks Madrid tournament programming
The perfect weekend for French clubs in the European Rugby Cup
Of the six clubs participating in the two European Cups, five qualified for the semi-finals. After extra time – and the thrill – Toulouse beat Munster (24-24, 4-2 on the pens) and entered the Champions League round of four. The same goes for La Rochelle, the winner of Montpellier (31-19), and the race that defeated Ciel (41-22). The two teams will also meet in the next round, which sees at least one French team in the Champions Cup final. In the Challenge Cup, Lyon beat Glasgow (35-27) and Toulon beat the Irish London (19-18). The two teams could meet in the final in Marseille on May 27
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Nice evening for the people of Nantes
Twenty-one years after his last title, and 22 years after his last French Coupe, FC Nantes once again triumphed in Douen by winning the final on Saturday over Nice (1-0). The success was achieved thanks to the “Monsieur Coupe”, captained by Ludovic Blas, captain of an evening in which the Canary Islands deserved their crown … and their return to the European League. An unexpected trophy and qualification a year and a half ago, when Antoine Compoire was called up as a firefighter on duty at a club on the edge of a cliff. The Kanaks, as the artisans’ revival of Nantes, were one of those who valued communion with the people of Nantes who came to fill the Stade de France to two-thirds. A party continued on Sunday in the city of the Dukes as more than 15,000 people gathered to celebrate their “heroes”.
see also – The penalty kick taken by Blass for Nantes against Nice in the French Cup final last Saturday (0-1)
Read alsoCoupe de France: How Kombouaré gave wings to the Canary Islands
Ocon & Russell, Elevators of Passion
After climbing from 11th to 4th at Imola, George Russell did it again in Miami. The 12th Briton initially finished fifth in Florida. The Mercedes driver started with hard rubber, pushed his first errand in hopes of getting a safety car and arrived. The only driver to always finish in the top five this season, the new Mercedes driver took the opportunity to waste as little time as possible in the pit and gave himself Bottas and Hamilton at the end of the race. Once again, he outdid his teammate. Fourth time in five races. A comeback has certainly inspired Esteban Ocon in different proportions. Last time on the grid at the start, after crashing his car in Free Practice 3, Esteban Ocon managed to finish eighth in the race in Miami. The Grand Prix is so solid from the Frenchman who wanted to finally congratulate his mechanic on the work done. And since happiness never comes alone, the Alps can also be satisfied with the ninth place for Fernando Alonso. Six points on the clock of the French brand in Florida.
We have errors
Bordeaux is closer than ever to the second division
It hit rock bottom but still craters. Girondins de Bordeaux lost again abroad. A heavy defeat with four goals against a 4-1 net against Angers. A total of 89 goals were conceded during the season in Ligue 1, for Girondin closest ever to Ligue 2. With Metz’s win over Lyon (3-2), the FCGB now sits last in the Premier League. – Etienne, 18 and Rod Blocker. But above all, the fate of Bordeaux is no longer in her hands. If ASSE wins in Nice this Wednesday, in a game late on the 36th of the Ligue 1, Girondin will be officially relegated to Ligue 2. Otherwise, it will be necessary to give a timeout against Lorient, who has not yet saved. Defeat against OM (0-3).
Read alsoBordeaux close to Serie B: ‘I can’t find the words,’ says Guion
French tennis is still digging
To watch the French professional tennis players in action this week, you have to look to Bordeaux. Many of them participate in the Primrose competition (Second Division Championship). Because next to the Masters 1000 in Rome, it’s zero points. Ugo Humbert, Adrien Mannarino and Benoit Bayer did not qualify. And just as Gaël Monfils fails, once again the victim of a bodily defect (heel injury), tricolor tennis presents itself with a very sad case. For the first time since 1971, that is, 51 years ago, there is no tricolor player present at the final table of the prestigious Italian championship. The decline of French tennis is not a precedent. The time for lean cows is more real than ever as Tsonga and Simon will soon be retiring. So far, only Monfils, a Top 30 member, is guaranteed to compete in the Masters 1000, without going through qualifications or without an invitation from the organisers. Among women, Alizee Cornet is only 39 years oldAndIn the Italian capital this week…
Manchester United say goodbye to C1
The Red Devils showed themselves again in the bad sense of the word with a big loss (0-4) at Brighton Park on Saturday. After the third defeat in 5 games for Rangnick and his family, this new setback puts an end to the hopes of United supporters who still fantasize about playing the Champions League next season. What do we give wishes for the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo? Perhaps, because it will be the first time since the 2002/03 season that the Portuguese does not play in the most prestigious club competition, of which he was the top scorer in history (141 goals). One thing is for sure, future Manchester United boss Eric ten Hag will be out of action next season, with or without CR7. Until then, there is still one final match for the Red Devils to secure sixth place, and it will be against Crystal Palace led by Patrick Vieira.
Ferrari misses target
Inevitably when the two cars are in the front row, we expect one on the highest stride at the end of the race. But from the start, the signs weren’t good for Scuderia Ferrari. Carlos Sainz missed the aggressiveness against Max Verstappen in the first corner, allowing the Red Bull driver to chase Charles Leclerc and pass him with a stride. In addition, we found known shortcomings of the Scuderia, especially in the stops. Both stops were bad and both riders lost time. In the end, Ferrari is satisfied with the second and third places, but Leclerc sees Verstappen back on him, at 19 points. At Maranello we will be our consolation (or not) with the manufacturers leadership, for 4 small points.
