Bonjour, Brits. I'll be there tomorrow - can send you a little report if you'd like. Looks like you've got livescores on this, but if there's any problem with it I could keep you updated.

Only caught the late afternoon today, so I can't give you any extra info on the Brits or Alex's next opponent, sorry! Impressed by the French turnout - about 400 on court 1 when I was there, lots of kids - and the price: 5 for the whole weekend. But the chips are terrible.

OK - I'll try to be less bland than the tournament website:

(From the site) "Le Britannique Alexander Slabinsky a franchi le premier tour des qualifications du GPTL en éliminant le Français Baptiste Bayet (7-6(7-4) / 6-3). Grâce à une prestation solide et un coup droit ravageur, il s'impose désormais comme un véritable outsider.

Dans un duel de gros serveurs sur le court numéro 1, c'est le Britannique Alexander Slabinsky qui a tiré son épingle du jeu. Opposé au Français Baptiste Bayet, il s'est qualifié pour le deuxième tour des qualifications après 2 sets accrochés (7-6(7-4) / 6-3). Après avoir été mené 5-2 dans le premier set, Slabinsky, actuel 292e à l'ATP, a profité des imprécisions de son adversaire pour revenir dans la partie et empocher la première manche dans le tie-break (7-4). Un moment clé pour Baptiste Bayet, qui pourra nourrir quelques regrets. Puissant au service et solide à la volée, il aura plus qu'inquiéter le jeune Anglais de 22ans.

Déconcentré dans la deuxième manche, le Français n'était plus aussi incisif avec son bras gauche et a laissé filer quelques points importants. Le Britannique a pour sa part montré de belles qualités, notamment au service, avec quelques 11 aces réalisés. Il faudra donc compter sur lui et son puissant coup droit pour la suite du tournoi qualificatif."


Quick translation:

The Brit Alex Slabinsky got through the first round of qualies for the Lyon Open by defeating the Frenchman Baptiste Bayet (7-6(7-4)/6-3). His solid performance and devastating forehand establish him as a real 'outsider' (I guess we'd say a 'dark horse').

In a battle of big servers on court number 1, it was Slabinsky who came out best. Faced with the Frenchman Bayet, he qualified for the second round after 2 close sets. After being led 5-2 in the first set, Slabinsky, currently 292nd in the ATP rankings, made the most of his opponent's mistakes to come back and take the set in a tie break. A key moment for Bayet, who could rightly feel a few regrets. With a powerful serve and a solid volley, he had the young Englishman more than worried.

Distracted in the 2nd set, the Frenchman wasn't as incisive with his left hand, and let a few important points slip away. The Brit, for his part, showed some real strengths, notably his service which brought him 11 aces. Look out for him and his powerful forehand in the next round.

Doubles Draw :

Top half...

FOGNINI, Fabio / SEPPI, Andreas ITA v HUSS, Stephen AUS / HUTCHINS, Ross GBR

Bottom half...

LINDSTEDT, Robert SWE / MURRAY, Jamie GBR v MELO, Marcelo BRA / SA, Andre BRA

slabba gets an early break to lead, serving at 2-1

slabba secured the 1st set 62 and is a break up serving at 32 in the 2nd.

-- Edited by Count Zero at 12:07, 2008-10-19

slabba wins 62 64 :)

Excellent win - very tough final qualifier against top seed Christophe Rochus