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Alcaraz, Nantes, French rugby, Bordeaux... the tops and flops of the sports weekend

2022-05-09T05:17:43.592Z


OPINION - The demonstration of Carlos Alcaraz, the first Nantes title for more than twenty years, the descent into hell of Bordeaux... Discover the tops and flops of the Figaro sports department.


OUR TOPS

Alcaraz, it's going completely crazy

The best player in the world today is Carlos Alcaraz!

The phenomenon never ceases to dazzle the tennis world.

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 outclassed the third world player Alexander Zverev, yet very comfortable, in the final. in the Spanish capital.

The title holder who remained on 13 consecutive victories on the center court Manolo Santana, was however swept away in one hour 6-3, 6-1 by the tornado of Murcia.

His drop shots and kicked services disgusted the German giant.

Alcaraz offered itself the fourth trophy of its season, its second Masters 1000 in 2022 after Miami.

The pressure does not seem to have taken hold of him.

In full confidence,

the phenomenon, invincible in five finals contested on the big circuit, is definitely indefatigable.

His 6 hours of play in two days against the two monsters Nadal and Djokovic did not affect him.

He was a future great at the start of the year.

It became monstrous for the competition within weeks.

Enough to make him almost the favorite for the next Roland-Garros, even if Nadal remains the best player in history on clay and Djokovic, the best altogether, when he is 100% physically and mentally...

Read alsoTennis: "The job of the ATP was an absolute shame", Zverev attacks the programming of the Madrid tournament

The perfect weekend for French clubs in the European Rugby Cup

Of the six clubs involved in the two European Cups, five qualified for the semi-finals.

After extra time - and suspense - Toulouse defeated Munster (24-24, 4-2 on pens) and joined the last four of the Champions Cup.

It is the same for La Rochelle, winner of Montpellier (31-19), and Racing, which defeated Sale (41-22).

The two clubs will also meet in the next round, which certifies at least one French club in the Champions Cup final.

In the Challenge Cup, Lyon beat Glasgow (35-27) and Toulon won against London Irish (19-18).

The two clubs could meet in the final in Marseille on May 27

Read alsoRacing 92-Sale: the favorites and claws of our special correspondent

The beautiful evening of the people of Nantes

21 years after their last title, 22 years after their last Coupe de France, FC Nantes once again triumphed in the "Doyenne" by winning the final on Saturday against Nice (1-0).

A success acquired thanks to “Monsieur Coupe”, its captain Ludovic Blas, leader of an evening where the Canaries will have deserved their crown … and their return to the Europa League.

A trophy and an unsuspected qualification a year and a half ago, when Antoine Kombouaré was called up as a firefighter on duty in a club on the edge of the abyss.

Artisan of the Nantes revival, the Kanak was one of those who most appreciated the communion with a Nantes people who came to fill the Stade de France to two thirds.

A party that continued this Sunday in the city of the Dukes, where more than 15,000 people gathered to celebrate their "heroes".

Ludovic Blas, Quentin Merlin and the Canaries presented the Cup to their supporters.

SEBASTIEN SALOM-GOMIS / AFP

Read alsoCoupe de France: how Kombouaré gave wings to the Canaries

Ocon and Russell, passion for lifts

After a rise from eleventh to fourth place at Imola, George Russell did it again in Miami.

Twelfth at the start, the Briton took fifth position in Florida.

The Mercedes driver started on hard rubber, pushed his first stint hoping for a safety car and it arrived.

The only driver to always finish in the top 5 this season, the new Mercedes driver took the opportunity to lose as little time as possible in the pits and offered himself Bottas and Hamilton at the end of the race.

Once again, he got the better of his teammate.

The fourth time in five races.

A comeback that certainly inspired Esteban Ocon, in yet different proportions.

Last on the grid at the start, after smashing his car in free practice 3,

Esteban Ocon managed to finish eighth in the race in Miami.

A very solid Grand Prix from the Frenchman who wanted to congratulate his mechanics at the finish for the work done.

And since happiness never comes alone, Alpine can also be satisfied with Fernando Alonso's ninth place.

Six points on the clock for the French brand in Florida.

OUR FLOPS

Bordeaux ever closer to Ligue 2

Hitting rock bottom but still digging.

The Girondins de Bordeaux lost again on the outside.

A heavy defeat with four goals conceded, 4-1 against Angers.

89 goals conceded in total over the season in Ligue 1, for Girondins who are closer than ever to Ligue 2. After Metz's victory against Lyon (3-2), FCGB now occupy last place in the Premier League. France, four points behind Saint-Etienne, 18th and roadblocker.

But above all Bordeaux no longer has its destiny in its hands.

If ASSE wins in Nice this Wednesday, in a late match of the 36th day of Ligue 1, the Girondin club will be officially relegated to Ligue 2. Otherwise, it will be necessary to offer a reprieve against Lorient, still not saved after his heavy defeat against OM (0-3).

Read alsoBordeaux close to Ligue 2: "I can't find the words", says Guion

French tennis is still digging

To see professional French tennis players in action this week, you will have to look to Bordeaux.

Many of them are engaged in the challenger Primrose (second division tournament).

Because on the side of the Masters 1000 in Rome, it's zero points.

Ugo Humbert, Adrian Mannarino and Benoît Paire did not qualify.

And as Gaël Monfils, again victim of a physical glitch (heel injury) fails, tricolor tennis offers itself a very sad stat.

For the first time since 1971, ie 51 years, no tricolor player is present in the final table of the prestigious Italian tournament.

The decline of French tennis is not a scoop.

The time of lean cows is more than ever a reality as Tsonga and Simon will soon retire.

To date, only Monfils, a member of the top 30,

is guaranteed to compete in a Masters 1000, without going through the qualifications or without being invited by the organizers.

And among women, only Alizé Cornet, 39th, is present in the Italian capital this week…

Manchester United says goodbye to the C1

The Red Devils again illustrated themselves in the bad sense of the term by losing heavily (0-4) on the lawn of Brighton on Saturday.

Beyond the 3rd defeat in 5 matches for Rangnick and his family, this new setback puts an end to the hopes of United supporters who still imagined playing the Champions League next season.

What to give desires of departure to Cristiano Ronaldo?

Perhaps, because it would be the first time since the 2002/03 season that the Portuguese would not play in the most prestigious of club competitions, of which he is the top scorer in history (141 goals).

One thing is certain, the future coach of Manchester United, Erik ten Hag will have his work cut out for him next season, whether with or without CR7.

of

Ferrari misses the mark

Inevitably when the two cars are in the front row, we expect one on the top step at the finish of the race.

But from the start, the signals were not good for Scuderia Ferrari.

Carlos Sainz lacked aggressiveness against Max Verstappen at the first corner, which allowed the Red Bull driver to chase Charles Leclerc and pass him in stride.

In addition, we found the known shortcomings of the Scuderia, especially on pit stops.

Both stops were bad and both riders lost time.

In the end, Ferrari is content with second and third place but Leclerc sees Verstappen come back on him, at 19 points.

In Maranello, we will be consoled (or not) with the lead of the manufacturers, for 4 small points.

Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz couldn't resist Max Verstappen.

RICARDO ARDUENGO / REUTERS

Source: lefigaro

All sports articles on 2022-05-09

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