Day3. Leygue, from heartbreak to glory: first French man into a Major round of 16. Kurz also makes history
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Day3. Leygue, from heartbreak to glory: first French man into a Major round of 16. Kurz also makes history

Padel FIP September 9, 2026 Yesterday
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The Paris Major Premier Padel has delivered historic milestones, highlighted by Thomas Leygue becoming the first French man to reach the round of 16 at a Major, and Victoria Kurz making history as the first German player to achieve the same feat in a Premier Padel main draw. These breakthrough performances defined a dramatic third day of competition at Roland-Garros.

Key Results and Historic Breakthroughs

The tournament has been marked by emotional victories and significant shifts in the professional landscape. Here are the primary developments from the latest round of play:

  • Thomas Leygue’s Historic Run: Just one year after suffering a career-threatening Achilles tendon injury in Rome, Leygue and his partner Jesus Moya secured a 6-2, 4-6, 7-5 victory over Juanlu Esbri and Sanyo Gutierrez. This win marks the first time a French male player has advanced to the round of 16 in a Premier Padel Major.
  • Victoria Kurz’s German Milestone: Entering the draw as a lucky loser alongside partner Anna Ortiz following the withdrawal of Tamara Icardo and Claudia Jensen, Kurz made history by becoming the first German player to reach the round of 16 in a Premier Padel main draw.
  • Top Seed Performances: The world’s elite continued their campaigns, with Arturo Coello and Agustin Tapia defeating Tino Libaak and Gonza Alfonso 6-2, 7-5, while Fede Chingotto and Ale Galan cruised past Arnau Ayats and Emilio Chamero with a dominant 6-2, 6-2 scoreline.
  • Partnership Shake-up: In a surprise upset, Javi Martinez and Luis Hernandez defeated the ninth-seeded duo of Javi Garrido and Lucas Bergamini. Following this loss, Garrido and Bergamini announced that the upcoming P2 tournament in Rotterdam will be their final event playing together.

Looking ahead, the tournament schedule remains packed with high-stakes matchups. Thomas Leygue and Jesus Moya are set to face fourth seeds Franco Stupaczuk and Jon Sanz on the Philippe-Chatrier court, while Victoria Kurz and Anna Ortiz will challenge Carolina Orsi and Patty Llaguno. Additionally, fans are anticipating the debut of top women's seeds, including Bea Gonzalez and Paula Josemaria, as well as a marquee evening match between Delfi Brea and Gemma Triay against Nuria Rodriguez and Giulia Dal Pozzo.

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Source
Padel FIP https://www.padelfip.com/2026/09/day3-leygue-from-heartbreak-to-glory-first-french-man-into-a-major-round-of-16-kurz-also-makes-history/

This article was originally published by Padel FIP. The summary above was generated for informational purposes. For the full story, visit the original source.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is the first French man to reach the round of 16 at a Premier Padel Major?
Thomas Leygue became the first French man to achieve this milestone at the Paris Major. He secured his spot alongside his partner, Jesus Moya, after defeating Juanlu Esbri and Sanyo Gutierrez.
How did Victoria Kurz make history at the Paris Major?
Victoria Kurz became the first German player to reach the round of 16 in a Premier Padel main draw. She entered the tournament as a lucky loser alongside her partner, Anna Ortiz.
Which professional duo announced their split following the Paris Major?
Javi Garrido and Lucas Bergamini announced they will end their partnership after the upcoming P2 tournament in Rotterdam. This decision followed their loss to Javi Martinez and Luis Hernandez during the third day of competition.

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