The eighth edition of the Teréga Open Pau-Pyrénées is set to bring high-level tennis to Pau, France, this year, with a strong field confirmed for the ATP Challenger Tour 125 indoor hard-court tournament.
Defending champion Raphaël Collignon returns as the top seed following a breakthrough 2025 season. The 24-year-old Belgian won two Challenger titles, reached the ATP 250 semifinals in Brussels, and advanced to the third round of the US Open, highlighted by a win over Casper Ruud. Now ranked world No. 69, Collignon has also recorded victories over Denis Shapovalov and Grigor Dimitrov this year and begins his title defence against a qualifier.
Former champion Luca Van Assche is also back in Pau, having lifted the trophy in 2023 after winning the longest final in tournament history. The Frenchman arrives in strong form after claiming his fifth Challenger title in Quimper earlier this month. Seeded sixth, Van Assche faces a tough opening match against recent Koblenz champion Pavel Kotov.
The bottom half of the draw is led by Kazakhstan’s Alexander Shevchenko, a former world No. 45 making his debut in Pau. The 25-year-old, who reached the quarterfinals in Adelaide earlier this season, will open against local player Clement Chidekh.
Source: Belgan News Agency
Belgium’s Alexander Blockx, seeded third, represents one of the most promising young players in the field. The 20-year-old has won three Challenger titles in the past year and reached the final of the ATP Next Gen Finals in December. He will begin his campaign against a qualifier, with a potential semifinal meeting against Collignon among the tournament’s highlights.
Italy’s Luca Nardi is seeded fourth and remains one of the most closely watched players in the draw. The 22-year-old gained international attention after defeating Novak Djokovic at Indian Wells in 2024 and will face Switzerland’s Jerome Kym in the opening round.
Source: ATP Tour
Former top-10 player David Goffin adds further experience to the field after receiving a wild card. The 35-year-old Belgian, a six-time ATP Tour champion, will play Italy’s Giulio Zeppieri in the first round. Despite his age, Goffin’s consistency and tactical awareness make him a dangerous opponent.
Completing the top eight seeds are France’s Benjamin Bonzi and Tunisia’s Moez Echargui. Bonzi, the 2024 Metz champion and former Pau doubles winner, meets a qualifier, while Echargui faces Germany’s Justin Engel.
Tournament director Jeremy Chardy, a former world No. 25 and Pau native, said the event continues to reflect his goal of bringing top-level tennis to his hometown.
“This tournament is the result of a collective effort driven by passion and dedication,” Chardy said. “Our aim has always been to offer players the best possible conditions and give something back to the region.”
With a blend of established contenders, returning champions, and emerging talents, this year’s Teréga Open Pau-Pyrénées is expected to be one of the most competitive editions in the tournament’s history.
