Squash: Edwin Clain and Léa Barbeau, firsts in Nîmes

In the final, Edwin Clain (in red) had to work against Gonzalez. – FRENCH SQUASH

The graduate from Valenciennes and the resident from Mulhouse registered their name on the list of winners of the Open national du Gard which took place on the glass courts of the Squash club of Nîmes from Friday January 5 to Sunday January 7, 2024 .

''I think it’s really nice that there is the men’s tournament at the same time, it’s rare. '' All smiles, trophy in hand after his success in the 40th edition of the Open national du Gard organized by the Squash club des Arènes de Nîmes, Edwin Clain would like to welcome the format put in place.
For three days (from Friday evening to Sunday afternoon), the little black ball was celebrating on the glass courts at 36, rue Porte de France. ''I’have rarely seen so many people on Saturday'', underlined, moreover, Sunday afternoon, Mohamed Bellafdil, a referee accustomed to this type of tournament.
If, behind the scenes, the public had responded well, on the court, too, the density, in terms of level of play, was there. Head seed n° 1 and n° 8 Frenchman, Edwin Clain, 24, was also on time, first title in Nîmes.

Edwin Clain, on the final: ''I knew it was going to be a big match'&#39 ;

In time trial mode in the final, facing Paul Gonzalez (Annecy), seeded n° 3rd and 16th French: ''With Paul, we know each other very well since we are together at Pôle France in Aix, noted the licensee in Valenciennes, as relieved as we are tired after this fight epic won 3-2 (11-6 ; 6-11 ; 11-6 ; 8-11 ; 11-7) in 50 games. I knew it was going to be a very big match, I'm very happy to get out of it. What is important to emphasize is that he reads me very well.''

The ladies final also gave rise to a great battle. When the n° 5 French and seed n° 1 in Nîmes, Élise Romba (Anncey), meets the n° 6 in the national ranking and his runner-up in the table of this Open, Léa Barbeau (Mulhouse), we can expect a close match. The duel was, between Romba and his left paw and Barbeau and his physique. And as in England, last month during an international tournament, Léa Barbeau emerged victorious. Less easily in the Gard than across the Channel (3-0).

Two points difference in four of the five games in the ladies final

In Nîmes, the daughter of Nicolas Barbeau, international referee officiating at this Open, went to the end of herself in a match where four of the five games (3-2) were disputed& ;hellip; two points apart (12-10 ; 10-12 ; 11-3 ; 11-13 ; 13-11) !
''We have roughly the same level and, yes, it came down to nothing, noted Barbeau, 23 years old, first title in Nîmes. Since she is ahead of me in the rankings, I didn't have much pressure. Afterwards, on the ground, I saw what I had to do.'' Squash is so simple sometimes…hellip;