French duo loses final in Lyon

Théo Arribagé and Albano Olivetti, finalists of the ATP 250 in Lyon on Sunday, were defeated by the British pair Julian Cash and Lloyd Glasspool (6-4, 3-6, 8-10), despite winning the first set.

Recent history of near misses

The two French players had previously come close to major results in Tokyo and Shanghai. In the space of 19 days, they lost two finals and a semi-final, all in the decisive match of the match.

Tokyo and Shanghai setbacks

The first episode dates back to October 6, in the final of the ATP 500 in Tokyo. Facing Austin Krajicek and Nikola Mektic, the French had won a third set before losing 6-7(5), 7-5, 6-10. Ten days later, at the Masters 1000 in Shanghai, they came close to their first final in this category this season.

Lyon final recap

On Sunday in Lyon, the scenario repeated itself. The French took the lead before Cash and Glasspool equalized, then pulled ahead 5-1 in the super tie-break. Then trailing 9-6, they saved two match points before losing 10-8.

Recent success and rankings

Since January, Arribagé and Olivetti have won five trophies, in Auckland, Montpellier, Dallas, Halle and Majorque. They had also won several super tie-breaks in recent weeks, including in the semi-final in Tokyo against Rinky Hijikata and Kaito Uesugi (12-10). Their performance in Shanghai allowed them to rise to seventh place in the doubles race.

Looking ahead to ATP Finals

The objective remains now a first joint participation in the ATP Finals, scheduled from November 15 to 22 in Turin. Still seventh in the race, the two partners are well placed but cannot relax. Up to tenth place, each pair still has a good chance to qualify for the Masters.