Gael Monfils and Elina Svitolina set to compete for Team France on final day of Bourg-de-Peage Open

Tennis power couple Gael Monfils and Elina Svitolina are set to enter the fray in the Bourg-de-Peage Open as Team France have taken the lead over Team World. 

As the 2026 campaign is coming into view, more players are starting to return to the court as they get their match fitness and sharpness up ahead of an important period when tennis goes down to Oceania.

The first day began on December 12. To begin the event, Adrian Mannarino faced off against Serbian Hamad Medjedovic as the competition kicked off in southeastern France. Despite the home favourite going down a set, he managed to stick with his opponent and force a comeback win, coming out on top 6-7, 6-2, 6-2. This would push Team France in front in the early evening. 

Following that, the current world number 91 Quentin Halys looked to back up his fellow countryman's victory by doubling France's lead, but he could not get the job done over Raphael Collignon. The Belgian had recently competed for his country in the Davis Cup Finals, apart of the team who dumped out France in the quarter-finals. His positive form against the French would prolong as he narrowly pipped Halys 6-4, 3-6, 7-5 to level procedures at the end of the first day.

Saturday saw the momentum swing between both teams. It started positively for Team World with Romanian Elena-Gabriela Ruse battering Chloe Paquet 6-1, 6-2 in a comprehensive victory for Team World. Despite this, Team France would take back the reigns. Halys looked to make up for the negative result on the opening day action, and competed this against Medjedovic 6-3, 6-1. The score was 2-2 ahead of Mannarino returning to the court. On the other side was three-time Grand Slam champion Stan Wawrinka. While the 40-year-old was not the player he once was, it would still be a tough challenge for Mannarino, who at 37-years-old was also one of the older players. It would be a closely fought battle between the veterans but Mannarino would prevail 3-6, 6-1, 7-6, once again coming from a set down.

Monfils and Svitolina have been married since 2021. They will be putting their trust in each other once more as they aim for glory. So far, France are 5-3 in front. Double points were offered on Saturday, which is why France has an extended lead. Team France need to secure two wins if they want to reign supreme in the event.

Despite residing from Ukraine, she now lives in Monaco. She will compete for Team France as she takes on Ruse in the opening match of the day. Following this will be Monfils heading onto the court. It is his final year on tour after announcing his end in tennis. The 39-year-old has shown incredible longevity to continue at this level for the time he has done, but all good things come to an end. He will be hoping for a positive end to his tennis career, with the preparation key for a fast start in Australia. He will take on Collignon following the conclusion of the Svitolina-Ruse. 

Monfils and Svitolina will be soon turning his attention to the 2025 World Tennis League, lasting from December 17-20. It is the first time the event will be held outside of UAE, finding a new home in in India. They will be on different teams for the exhibition tournament. Monfils is heading the AOS Eagles alongside Paula Badosa while Svitolina is set to team up with Denis Shapovalov for the VB Realty Hawks. They will both traverse to New Zealand to begin their 2026 season in the ASB Classic in Auckland, starting January 5-11 with the Australian Open also on the horizon, beginning January 18 - February 1.