What Is 2018 Grand Est Open 88 – Doubles

Overview

The 2018 Grand Est Open 88 – Doubles was a professional women’s tennis tournament held as part of the ITF Women’s World Tennis Tour. It featured an international field of doubles teams competing for ranking points and prize money on outdoor clay courts.

Played in Contrexéville, France, the event attracted players aiming to build momentum ahead of the US Open Series. The doubles competition showcased strong teamwork and tactical play under summer European conditions.

• Champions: Ysaline Bonaventure of Belgium and Raluca Olaru of Romania claimed the title by winning the final on July 15, 2018.
• Final opponents: The pair defeated Americans Kaitlyn Christian and Alexa Glatch in straight sets with a score of 6–4, 6–3.
• Tournament duration: The doubles event spanned from July 9 to July 15, 2018, aligning with the full tournament week.
• Surface and location: All matches were played on outdoor red clay courts at the Thermes de Contrexéville sports complex.
• Prize level: Classified as a $80,000+H event, it offered enhanced prize money and ranking points due to French Tennis Federation support.

How It Works

The Grand Est Open 88 is structured as a standard ITF Women’s doubles tournament, with seeding, draws, and knockout rounds leading to a final match. Players form partnerships regardless of nationality, and matches follow best-of-three sets format.

• Draw Format: The doubles draw featured 16 teams, including direct acceptances and wildcards. The structure included three rounds: first round, semifinals, and final.
• Seeding: The top four teams were seeded based on combined rankings; Bonaventure/Olaru were seeded second in the draw.
• Match Format: All matches were best-of-three sets with a 10-point match tiebreak in place of a third set if needed.
• Scoring System: Standard tennis scoring applied, with no-ad scoring and let serves allowed during points.
• Player Eligibility: Participants had to be ITF-registered professionals with a valid ranking; entries were accepted globally based on ranking and wildcards.
• Clay Court Tactics: The slow bounce of clay favored baseline rallies and defensive play, making endurance and consistency key competitive advantages.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 2018 Grand Est Open 88 – Doubles compares to similar ITF events in terms of prize money, surface, and player level.

This comparison shows that the Grand Est Open 88 was among the higher-tier ITF events in Europe during 2018, especially due to its $80,000+H classification. Its clay surface and French location placed it within a dense summer clay-court circuit that helps players transition from Roland Garros to hard-court seasons.

Why It Matters

The 2018 Grand Est Open 88 – Doubles had notable implications for player development, regional tennis promotion, and the ITF ranking structure. Its success helped solidify Contrexéville as a reliable stop on the women’s circuit.

• Ranking Points: The champions earned 100 ITF ranking points, crucial for improving standings and qualifying for higher-level events.
• Player Exposure: The tournament gave emerging players like Bonaventure a platform to gain visibility ahead of WTA-level competitions.
• French Tennis Support: The '+H' designation indicates financial backing from the French Tennis Federation, showing national investment in grassroots development.
• Clay-Court Preparation: For players targeting Roland Garros, events like this offered vital match practice on similar surfaces.
• Doubles Specialization: The event highlighted the growing importance of doubles expertise in women’s tennis, especially for Grand Slam preparation.
• Tournament Legacy: The 2018 edition contributed to the Grand Est Open’s reputation as a consistent, well-organized stop on the ITF calendar.

Overall, the 2018 Grand Est Open 88 – Doubles served as both a competitive arena and a developmental stepping stone, reinforcing the depth and structure of the global women’s tennis tour.