Caught between the Internationals of Rome and Roland Garros, the Nice Open naturally struggled to find its place. However, this was not accounting for Jean-François Caujolle, co-director of the tournament for the sporting side after a 25-year career, who knows how to turn a difficulty into an opportunity.
Thus, the Nice tournament is increasingly becoming a showcase for young talents on the circuit and the future stars of tomorrow. The draw presented yesterday morning confirms it. Undoubtedly, the lineup of the Nice Open is one of the densest and most competitive among the ATP 250 tournaments.
In addition to the “Niçois” Gilles Simon (number 1 seed) who couldn’t miss his appointment and who wants to shine on his homeland for emotional reasons, making him the natural “favorite,” we will see the American number 1 John Isner (No. 2), the winner of the 2014 edition, Lithuanian Ernest Gulbis (No. 3), and another sure bet, the Argentine Leonardo Mayer.
On the sporting side, Gilles Simon, who is returning from injury, will face young Australian star Thanasi Kokkinakis if he overcomes his compatriot James Duckworth. As for the other Frenchman, directly accepted into the main draw, Benoit Paire, he will hit the clay at 4 PM against the Argentine surface specialist, Juan Monaco, the number 8 seed.
Nineteen-year-old French player Maxime Hamou, who received a wildcard, will also enter the competition tomorrow, facing Spaniard Pablo Carreno Busta at 2:30 PM.
The French delegation, strengthened by the presence of Lucas Pouille, another wildcard, might be further bolstered if Quentin Halys and Gianni Mina make it through the qualifying rounds in the final match this morning.
Other young stars like Dominic Thiem or Borna Coric are expected from Monday onwards.
Regarding organization: the other co-director Pierre Albuixech has expressed his hope of breaking the attendance record set last year with 22,500 spectators. A special pricing scheme offers free entry up to the final for the 1,400 members of the Nice LTC.
