Teréga Open Pau-Pyrénées 2026: Collignon Returns to Defend Title Amidst Rising Stars
Pau, France – The draw for the 2026 Teréga Open Pau-Pyrénées Challenger 125 tournament has been unveiled, setting the stage for a compelling week of tennis action at the Palais des Sports. Reigning champion Raphaël Collignon will lead the field as he aims to defend his title against a competitive lineup including Alexander Shevchenko and Lucas Van Assche.
Collignon’s Path to the Final
Collignon, currently ranked 72nd in the ATP, begins his title defense against a qualifier. A potentially challenging second-round matchup looms against American Martin Damm, a recent semi-finalist at the ATP 250 in Montpellier. The Belgian will be looking to replicate his 2025 success, where he defeated Patrick Zahraj to claim the championship.
Shevchenko and Van Assche Headline the Competition
Alexander Shevchenko, seeded second, faces Clément Chidekh in the first round. Lucas Van Assche, another prominent French player, will start against Pavel Kotov. Both players will be keen to make a strong showing on home soil.
French Players Aim for Glory
Benjamin Bonzi and David Goffin are also among the seeded players, with Bonzi opening against a qualifier and Goffin facing Giulio Zeppieri. The emergence of young French talent, such as Moïse Kouamé, adds an exciting dimension to the tournament. Kouamé, the youngest player in the top 1000, will need to navigate the qualifying rounds before potentially facing Goffin in the second round.
Qualifying Rounds Underway
The qualifying rounds commenced on Sunday, featuring a series of matches at the Palais des Sports and TC Pau. Notable matches include Patrick Zahraj, a surprise finalist last year, against Maxime Beaugé. Twelve qualifying matches are scheduled, with six players earning spots in the main draw.
Key First Round Qualifying Matches
- Remy Bertola (SUI) vs [WC] Leo Raquillet (FRA)
- [WC] Pierre Antoine Faut (FRA) vs [8] Robin Bertrand (FRA)
- [2] Clement Tabur (FRA) vs Lucas Poullain (FRA)
- Laurent Lokoli (FRA) vs [9] Marat Sharipov
- [3] Mikhail Kukushkin (KAZ) vs Robin Catry (FRA)
- Michele Ribecai (ITA) vs [11] James Trotter (JPN)
- [4] [Alt] Calvin Hemery (FRA) vs [WC] Felix Balshaw (FRA)
- Maxime Janvier (FRA) vs [10] Viktor Durasovic (NOR)
- [5] [Alt] Geoffrey Blancaneaux (FRA) vs Cyril Vandermeersch (FRA)
- Jonas Forejtek (CZE) vs [7] [Alt] Henri Squire (GER)
- [6] [Alt] Patrick Zahraj (GER) vs Maxence Beauge (FRA)
- [WC] Loann Massard (FRA) vs [12] Martin Krumich (CZE)
Did you know?
Raphaël Collignon is the defending champion of the Teréga Open Pau-Pyrénées, having won the title in 2025.
FAQ
When does the 2026 Teréga Open Pau-Pyrénées take place? The tournament runs from February 8th to February 15th, 2026.
Where is the tournament held? The tournament is held at the Palais des Sports in Pau, France.
Who is the defending champion? Raphaël Collignon is the defending champion.
What is the tournament level? The tournament is a Challenger 125 event.
Are there any French players to watch? Lucas Van Assche, Benjamin Bonzi, and Moïse Kouamé are among the French players to watch.
Pro Tip: Preserve an eye on the qualifying rounds – often, unexpected players emerge to make a significant impact in the main draw.
Stay tuned for further updates and results from the 2026 Teréga Open Pau-Pyrénées. Follow us for live scores and exclusive content throughout the tournament!
