PAU/STARNBERG, February 15, 2026
Following an exhibition match between Richard Gasquet and Gilles Simon that warmed up the crowd at the Palais des Sports, Raphael Collignon fittingly claimed the title of the eighth Teréga Open Pau-Pyrénées. The Belgian successfully defended his crown in front of nearly 3,500 spectators, sealing a 7-6(5), 6-1 win in Sunday’s singles final in just one hour and 22 minutes against Frenchman Benjamin Bonzi.
Bonzi started the sharper of the two, breaking immediately to race into a 3-0 lead. But Collignon responded swiftly. Striking the ball earlier and taking it close to the baseline, the defending champion broke back and reignited the contest.
The Nimes native regained the advantage, only for a determined Collignon to level once more. The opening set featured intense rallies and relentless exchanges, with both players trading blows. In the tie-break, however, Collignon elevated his level. Relying on a highly effective first serve and superb backhand defense, he secured a decisive mini-break. The set ended on a Bonzi forehand error, forced by a flawless return from the reigning champion.
The second set quickly swung in Collignon’s favor. Bonzi, immediately under pressure, dropped the first three games in just ten minutes. Faster and more precise, the Belgian dictated the rallies and steadily pulled away. Overwhelmed by his opponent’s pace and accuracy, Bonzi could not turn the momentum, and Collignon sealed the victory in emphatic fashion.
Retaining his crown ✌️
Collignon goes back to back in Pau 7-6(5), 6-1 past Bonzi #ATPChallenger | @TeregaOpen pic.twitter.com/N6TAX5Eoc0
— ATP Challenger (@ATPChallenger) February 15, 2026
With this triumph — achieved without dropping a single set across five matches — Collignon completed a historic double in Pau. He also became the first No. 1 seed in tournament history to lift the trophy and to collect €30,460 in prize money as well as 125 ATP Ranking points.
The final brought to a close a magnificent week of tennis that once again attracted more than 20,000 spectators to the Palais des Sports and the Tennis Club de Pau, underlining the growing enthusiasm surrounding the Teréga Open Pau-Pyrénées.
