Authier and Baud win P1000 final in Échirolles

The P1000 FT Échirolles final delivered exactly the drama a top-level padel title match promises. In front of a full crowd and a loud audience, third seeds François Authier and Basile Baud faced fourth seeds Lelarge and Perrin for the trophy. After around two hours and twenty minutes, the winners were clear: 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 – a three-set thriller that stayed open until the final exchange.

Even before the first serve, it was obvious both pairs would bring different strengths. Authier and Baud are known as an experienced Lyon duo with strong attacking quality, while Lelarge and Perrin had already removed top favorites earlier in the event. The atmosphere in Échirolles added intensity: every point was met with applause or tension, pushing the players under pressure while also feeding their energy.

Lelarge and Perrin control the opening set

The start was fiercely contested from the first rally. Both teams held serve for long stretches and traded extended exchanges. Until 4-4, neither side looked clearly superior. At that exact moment, Lelarge and Perrin made the decisive move: they earned a break and used growing tension on the other side consistently.

After that, they remained exceptionally solid on serve. Authier and Baud had rebreak chances, but missed the final precision at the net or on the bandeja in key points. With a 6-4 scoreline, Lelarge and Perrin took the first set and carried clear confidence into the changeover.

Authier and Baud turn the match around

In the second set, momentum shifted step by step. Basile Baud visibly raised his physical intensity and maintained pressure even in long rallies. François Authier increased offensive shot volume and targeted gaps between opponents. That role split made the third seeds dangerous again.

At 4-3, Authier and Baud secured the crucial break. They then defended serve with clear structure: safe first balls, controlled volleys, and limited unnecessary risk. The set closed 6-3 – a strong signal that the crowd favorites were back in the title race and had grown mentally.

Tie-break decides a wild final

The third set became one of the most intense stretches of the entire tournament. Rallies grew longer, almost every game went through multiple deuces, and neither team could pull away for long. With no lasting advantage for either side, the logical outcome was a tie-break.

In that short format, Authier and Baud proved the more stable unit. The Lyon pair looked especially strong physically in the closing exchanges. They converted first attacks, defended critical net situations with discipline, and punished small errors from their opponents. They lifted the trophy in the tie-break and closed a final that remained open until the end.

Tournament path and title significance

For Authier and Baud, the road to the final was not straightforward. The early exit of the second seeds in the round of 16 opened additional opportunities in their draw. Still, they needed high focus in later rounds to reach the title match. The win rewards not only a strong final day, but a solid tournament week.

Lelarge and Perrin also deserve recognition. They had beaten the top favorites in the semifinals and played at a very high level for long phases. Their run underlined how deep the P1000 FT Échirolles field was and how narrow the margin between victory and defeat became.

• First P1000 of the season for François Authier.
• First career P1000 for Basile Baud at only 18 years old.
• Strong final performance from fourth seeds Lelarge and Perrin despite a narrow loss.

Tactical details in the decisive set

The third set highlighted how important positioning and communication are in doubles. Authier often took the attacking lead at the net, while Baud stabilized the base with quick movement and clear lobs. Lelarge and Perrin responded with long defensive phases and tried to extend rallies to reduce pressure. Yet in decisive moments, the eventual champions looked more focused and chose the lower-risk, higher-reward option.

Serve statistics also mattered: both pairs held for long stretches, making breaks especially valuable. Authier and Baud converted chances more efficiently in sets two and three and avoided frantic errors in the closing minutes. The Échirolles crowd rewarded that maturity with sustained applause, underlining the event's place in the French padel season.

Basile Baud confirms his major potential alongside François Authier, a former French number six. For padel in the Lyon region and for the Échirolles event, this final remains a showcase: technical quality, emotional tension, and a young talent proving himself on the big stage.