Cesta point in Saint-Jean-de-Luz: the Olharan-Mancisidor duo narrowly qualifies for the final

Jean Olharan and Mikel Mancisidor join Aritz Erkiaga and Jérôme Portet in the Master 3 final

The second semi-final of the Master 3 of the Cesta Punta Internationals offered a real spectacle on Thursday evening at the Saint-Jean-de-Luz jai alai. The two teams engaged in an intense battle. Ludovic Laduche and Gorka Sorozabal won the first set against Jean Olharan and Mikel Mancisidor.

Olharan and Mancisidor were narrowly beaten (14-15) after a first set that remained close from start to finish. Seeking revenge, they returned to the court with more intent in the second set, quickly setting their own pace. Surprised from the start (2-1, 2-6), Laduche and Sorozabal made a series of errors, letting the score slip: 15-6 for Olharan-Mancisidor.

The third set was decided by a hair's breadth. Trailing 3-1, Laduche and Sorozabal leveled the match at three all before Ludovic Laduche offered his opponents the first match point with a glove error (4-3). He immediately recovered with an unstoppable cortada (4-4), in front of a rapt crowd. But another glove error sealed the fate of the duel. Olharan and Mancisidor won (5-4), thus securing their place in the Master 3 final, this Tuesday, August 5 at 9:45 p.m., against Erkiaga and Portet .