Leykina Leads Local Charge at Engie Open du Périgord
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Polina Leykina is set to be the sole representative from Périgord in the main draw of the Open engie du Périgord, which kicks off this Tuesday, June 24th. Leykina, a rising talent, received a coveted Wild Card entry from her club, CA Périgueux, the tournamentS host, granting her direct passage into the first round. this is akin to a college basketball player getting a starting spot based on potential, now she has to deliver.
However, Leykina faces a daunting first-round challenge against the formidable Georgian player, Gorgodze, the tournament’s No. 2 seed. This is a david vs. Goliath matchup, and Leykina will need to bring her A-game.
Regrettably, leykina will be without the company of three other local players who competed in the qualifying rounds on Monday, June 23rd. Lena Deleval’s run was cut short in the second round. After defeating teammate Yana mykytyn, Deleval was bested by Mathilde Lollia, the top seed in the qualifiers, with a score of 6-3, 6-2.It’s a tough lesson in tennis: even after a victory, the next match is a new battle.
Earlier in the day, Timea Gallien, playing in her first professional senior tournament at just 15 years old thanks to a CAP invitation, succumbed to Chloé noël, the No. 8 seed, in straight sets (0-6, 2-6). Gallien’s experience mirrors that of many young athletes stepping up to the pros – the speed and power are a whole new level.
Youthful Exuberance Meets Pro Tennis
Gallien, the youngest competitor in the tournament, noted the important difference between the junior circuit and the professional level, observing compared to the junior circuit, there is more power and the players know how to do more things.
This is a common sentiment among young athletes transitioning to higher levels of competition.
“I had a lot of fun, I was able to have good balls, I tried to put back as I could.”
Despite the loss, Gallien remained positive, stating that she found the experience great.
She added, I had a lot of fun, I was able to have good balls, I tried to put back as I could.I find that I have played well, could do a lot of exchanges and place a few winning shots.
This positive attitude is crucial for young athletes facing early setbacks.
Later that afternoon, Amélie Mathieu, another 17-year-old invitee, also saw her tournament journey end after a third-round defeat against Hanna Bougouffa (0-6, 3-6). Like Gallien, Mathieu gained valuable experience in her first senior professional tournament.
Mathieu admitted to a passive start, losing the first set quickly. Though, she refocused, deciding to have fun, when you take 6-0 anyway
. This shift in mindset allowed her to briefly challenge Bougouffa, holding her to 3-3 before ultimately succumbing to her opponent’s superior power and precision. It’s a classic exmaple of how mental toughness can impact performance, even against a stronger opponent.
It’s always stressful,
Mathieu confessed. But after this first experience in the big ones, if I ever do it again, I would have less pressure. What is interesting is that I will see in which areas I have to work.
This self-awareness and willingness to learn are essential for continued growth in any sport.
Aravane Rezai: A Comeback Story in the Making
Among the competitors, one name stands out: Aravane Rezai. Once ranked No.15 in the world in 2010, the 38-year-old Rezai had retired from professional tennis twelve years ago
before returning to the sport a year and a half ago.
Since then,she has been grinding her way back onto the scene. on Monday, June 23rd, in the second round of qualifying, she dominated the young Japanese player Kijima with a score of 6-0, 6-1. Rezai’s powerful and precise forehand remains a potent weapon. Her comeback is reminiscent of athletes like michael Jordan or Tom Brady, who returned to their sports after periods away, seeking to recapture their former glory.
Rezai stated, I resumed with the desire to do better, to be healthy, with a sport that I like.
Despite losing in the final qualifying round to Moroccan player Yasmine Kabbaj (2-6, 1-6), Rezai earned a spot in the main draw as a “Lucky Loser” after another competitor withdrew. This stroke of luck gives Rezai another chance to prove that her comeback is more than just a nostalgic return.
Key Takeaways from the Engie Open du Périgord Qualifiers
To better understand the context of Polina Leykina’s journey and the experiences of other players, let’s break down key data points from the qualifying rounds of the Engie open du Périgord. The table below provides a quick overview of the results and highlights important insights.
| Player | Round Reached in Qualifiers | Opponent (Round) | Score | Notes |
|———————|—————————–|————————–|——————–|————————————————————————————————-|
| Lena Deleval | 2nd Round | Mathilde Lollia (2nd) | 3-6, 2-6 | Defeated Yana Mykytyn in 1st round. Lollia was the top seed in qualifiers. |
| Timea Gallien | 1st Round | Chloé Noël (1st) | 0-6, 2-6 | Youngest competitor; faced a seasoned pro in her first senior tournament. |
| Amélie Mathieu | 3rd Round | Hanna Bougouffa (3rd) | 0-6, 3-6 | Gained valuable experience, showing mental resilience. |
| Aravane Rezai | Final Round (Lucky Loser) | Yasmine Kabbaj (final) | 2-6, 1-6 | Former Top 15 player making a compelling comeback.Earned a spot in main draw as “Lucky Loser.” |
| Polina Leykina | N/A | Main draw by Wild Card | N/A | Sole Périgord representative in the main draw. Faces Gorgodze in the first round. |
Table Key: This table summarizes the performance of key players in the Engie Open du Périgord qualifiers, including their round reached, opponents faced, scores, and noteworthy insights. The table aims to provide a quick and accessible overview of the qualifying rounds.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about the Engie Open du Périgord
Here’s a detailed FAQ section to address common reader questions, improve search visibility, and enhance engagement:
Q: Where and when is the Engie Open du Périgord taking place?
A: The Engie Open du Périgord is a professional tennis tournament held in Périgord, France. The main draw commenced on tuesday, June 24th, 2025.
Q: Who is Polina Leykina?
A: Polina Leykina is a rising tennis talent from Périgord and the sole local representative in the main draw of the tournament. She was granted a Wild Card entry.
Q: What is a Wild Card entry?
A: A Wild Card entry is an invitation given to a player to participate in a tournament, allowing them direct entry into the main draw without having to go through the qualifying rounds. This is typically granted to promising players or those representing the host club.
Q: Who are some other notable players participating in the tournament?
A: Besides Leykina, notable players include the No. 2 seed Gorgodze and former world No. 15 Aravane Rezai,who is attempting a comeback.
Q: What happened to the other local players in the qualifying rounds?
A: Several local players competed in the qualifying rounds.Lena Deleval reached the second round before losing to Mathilde Lollia. Timea Gallien and Amélie Mathieu also participated,gaining valuable experience in their first senior professional tournaments.
Q: How did Aravane Rezai qualify for the main draw?
A: Aravane Rezai lost in the final qualifying round but received a spot in the main draw as a “Lucky Loser” after another competitor withdrew.
Q: What is a “Lucky Loser?”
A: A “lucky Loser” is a player who loses in the final round of the qualifying tournament but is given a spot in the main draw if another player withdraws due to injury or other circumstances.
Q: What are the key takeaways from the qualifying rounds?
A: The qualifying rounds highlighted the challenges faced by young players transitioning to the professional level, the resilience of seasoned veterans like Rezai, and the importance of mental fortitude in competitive tennis.
Q: How can I stay updated on the tournament results?
A: Check this website or follow the official tournament social media channels for live scores, match updates, and further analysis.
