Annecy Lake Open: Top Seed Mekhalfi Secures First Win

Top seed Toufik Mekhalfi has claimed victory at the Annecy Lake Open in France, after defeating compatriot Joshua Phinera on home soil at the Visaform Seynod in Annecy.

Like the majority of events on the Challenger Tour right now, the Annecy Lake Open had restricted entries, with the Challenger 5 level event hosting just Frenchman in the 24-draw.

Top seed Mekhalfi was barely pressured throughout the tournament, winning his first match in straight games against Baptiste Bouin.

He then got the better of Maceo Levy and wildcard Melvil Scianimanico, the surprise package of the tournament, to reach the final in Annecy.

Mekhalfi faced off against No.6 seed Joshua Phinera in the final, and although he fell behind after losing the first game, he came back to take the next three, securing the win after 41 minutes.

The Frenchman, who currently sits at World No.207, claimed his first victory as a professional, in just his eighth tournament on the Challenger Tour.

Results: Annecy Lake Open
Final
[1] Toufik Mekhalfi (FRA) bt [6] Joshua Phinera (FRA) 3-1: 8-11, 11-2, 11-9, 11-4 (41m)

Semi-Finals
[1] Toufik Mekhalfi (FRA) bt [WC] Melvil Scianimanico (FRA) 3-1: 11-2, 11-4, 10-12, 11-6 (36m)
[6] Joshua Phinera (FRA) bt Laouenan Loaec (FRA) 3-0: 12-10, 11-9, 11-9 (33m)

Quarter-Finals
[1] Toufik Mekhalfi (FRA) bt [8] Maceo Levy (FRA) 3-1: 11-6, 7-11, 11-5, 11-2 (42m)
[WC} Melvil Scinimanico (FRA) bt [WC] Antoine Riehl (FRA) 3-0: 11-6, 11-8, 11-6 (25m)
Laouenan Loaec (FRA) bt [5] Rohan Mandil (FRA) 3-0: 14-12, 11-4, 11-1 (32m)
[6] Joshua Phinera (FRA) bt [2] Quint Mandil (FRA) 3-1: 15-13, 7-11, 11-6, 11-7 (45m)

Round Two
[1] Toufik Mekhalfi (FRA) bt Baptiste Bouin (FRA) 3-0: 11-7, 11-8, 11-7 (32m)
[8] Maceo Levy (FRA) bt Pablo Richet (FRA) 3-0: 11-3, 11-4, 11-3 (21m)
[WC] Melvil Scianimanico (FRA) 3-2: 11-9, 5-11, 11-9, 11-13, 11-5 (63m)
[WC] Antoine Riehl (FRA) bt [4] Adrien Douillard (FRA): Walkover
Laouenan Loaec (FRA) bt [3] Paul Gonzalez (FRA) 3-0; 11-9, 11-9, 9-11, 11-13, 13-11 (81m)
[5] Rohan Mandil (FRA) bt Romeo Bily (FRA) 3-1: 11-6, 5-11, 11-7, 11-7 (33m)
[6] Joshua Phinera (FRA) bt Alex Dubarry (FRA) 3-1: 4-11, 11-6, 12-10, 11-6 (35m)
[2] Quint Mandil (FRA) bt Antonin Romieu (FRA) 3-2: 11-7, 6-11, 5-11, 12-10, 11-8 (61m)

Round One
Pablo Richet (FRA) bt Theo Berr (FRA) 3-0: 11-4, 11-7, 11-4 (21m)
[WC] Melvil Scianimanico (FRA) bt Titouan Isambard (FRA) 3-1: 11-6, 11-2, 7-11, 11-5 (33m)
[WC] Antoine Riehl (FRA) 3-1: 11-4, 12-10, 6-11, 11-4 (43m)
Antonin Romieu (FRA) bt [WC] Noah Schroeder (FRA) 3-1: 11-3, 9-11, 11-3, 11-6 (38m)