The Roland-Garros eSeries by Renault has announced its eight finalists, cementing its status as one of the premier esports tournaments. Over 515,000 players from 221 countries battled it out in 9.5 million Tennis Clash matches to secure a spot in the Final Stage. Among the elite who have made it are reigning champion Alessandro Bianco and the winner of the first Open Qualifier, Hizir Balkanci. They will be joined by Anyndia Lestari, Omer Feder, Adjua Thembisa Boucher, Eugen Mosdir, Bartu Yildirim, and Samuel Sanin Ortiz. These top contenders are set to compete in a thrilling showdown on May 24th at the Roland-Garros Tenniseum.
This year's tournament introduces an electrifying new format. The eight finalists will be divided into two teams, each led by a tennis legend. Gilles Simon, former ATP world number 6 and a finalist from last year, will captain one team, while former Wimbledon Champion Marion Bartoli will lead the other. The teams will compete in a series of matches, with the winners advancing to the Winner Bracket. Meanwhile, those eliminated will have a second chance in the Loser Bracket, where teams disband, and individual prowess will determine the ultimate Roland-Garros eSeries champion.
Adding to the excitement, Samuel Etienne, a renowned French personality and Twitch streamer with over 1 million followers, will host the event. He will be joined by esports expert Quento and former Tennis Clash number 1, Benny, known as GP365. The tournament will be held in the spirit of Roland-Garros, featuring a replica of the iconic Philippe-Chatrier court and custom outfits. Esteemed French umpire Aurélie Tourte will officiate the matches, ensuring a high level of competition.
The event will take place in front of 250 spectators at the auditorium and will be live-streamed on Samuel Etienne's Twitch channel and the Roland-Garros YouTube channel at 4pm CEST. Viewers can look forward to watching every match and enjoying interactive segments, with special guests engaging in lively discussions and adding fun to the worlds of tennis and eTennis.
