The second day of the Nice Côte d’Azur Open was largely favorable for the French, both in qualifications and during the draw for the main event played this Sunday.
Participating in the qualifications, the young hopeful Lucas Pouille seems to confirm his potential by reaching the main draw of this ATP 250, notably thanks to two very impressive victories against Somdev Devvarman, ranked 95th in the world, and Donald Young, ranked 78th.
He will thus have the opportunity to face one of his elders, the Frenchman Paul-Henri Mathieu, tomorrow starting from 6 PM for the “BIG MATCH” of the day.
Besides Lucas Pouille’s performance, the big surprise of the day is undeniably the qualification of another older and less known Frenchman Martin Vaisse.
Ranked 325th in the world, Martin secured a nice ticket to the main draw by defeating the American giant Sam Querrey, the number 1 seed in the qualifications and former world No. 17. He will face his compatriot Nicolas Mahut in the main draw tomorrow not before 4 PM for a second French clash.
In the main draw, last edition’s semi-finalist Edouard Roger Vasselin faced the Colombian Alejandro Gonzalez this Sunday. The Frenchman, currently ranked 45th in the world, held his ground perfectly and won authoritatively in 2 straight sets 6/3 6/1, confirming his good form on the rather fast Nice clay courts on this dry and slightly windy day.
Also note the victory of the Argentine Federico Delbonis against the Kazakh Mikhail Kukushkin.
Join us today starting from 11 AM for the continuation of the first round matches of this 5th edition’s main draw with two French duels on the schedule: Martin Vaisse facing Nicolas Mahut followed by Lucas Pouille against Paul-Henri Mathieu.
TODAY’S SCHEDULE: Monday, May 19, 2015
CENTRAL COURT starting from 11 AM
[5] D Tursunov (RUS) vs O Nedovyesov (KAZ)
A Montanes (ESP) vs M Ebden (AUS)
Not before 4 PM
[Q] M Vaisse (FRA) vs [6] N Mahut (FRA)
Not before 6 PM
[Q] L Pouille (FRA) vs [WC] P Mathieu (FRA)
COURT 1 starting from 3 PM
M Pavic (CRO) / A Sa (BRA) vs P Marx (GER) / F Mergea (ROU)
Not before 5 PM
[Q] L Mayer (ARG) vs [WC] B Coric (CRO)
