What Is 2016 Open du Pays d'Aix - Doubles

Content on WhatAnswers is provided "as is" for informational purposes. While we strive for accuracy, we make no guarantees. Content is AI-assisted and should not be used as professional advice.

Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2016 Open du Pays d'Aix – Doubles was won by Andrés Molteni and Diego Schwartzman, who defeated Miguel Ángel Reyes-Varela and Max Schnur 6–3, 6–4 in the final on May 14, 2016. The tournament was part of the ATP Challenger Tour and held on red clay courts in Aix-en-Provence, France.

Key Facts

Andrés Molteni and Diego Schwartzman won the 2016 Open du Pays d'Aix – Doubles title.
They defeated Miguel Ángel Reyes-Varela and Max Schnur in the final with a score of 6–3, 6–4.
The final match took place on May 14, 2016.
The tournament was part of the ATP Challenger Tour 125 series.
Matches were played on outdoor red clay courts in Aix-en-Provence, France.

Overview

The 2016 Open du Pays d'Aix – Doubles was a professional men's tennis doubles event held as part of the ATP Challenger Tour. It took place in Aix-en-Provence, France, from May 9 to May 14, 2016, on outdoor red clay courts. The tournament attracted several rising and established doubles players aiming to gain ranking points and prize money.

As a Challenger 125-level event, it contributed to the ATP rankings and served as a crucial stepping stone for players targeting Grand Slam qualifications. The doubles competition featured 16 teams in a single-elimination draw, culminating in a decisive final match. The event was notable for showcasing clay-court specialists and emerging talent in the professional circuit.

Andrés Molteni and Diego Schwartzman claimed the title by defeating the team of Miguel Ángel Reyes-Varela and Max Schnur in straight sets, 6–3, 6–4.
The final was held on May 14, 2016, marking the conclusion of the week-long tournament in southern France.
As an ATP Challenger Tour event, it offered €42,500 in total prize money, with a portion allocated to doubles participants.
The tournament was played on outdoor red clay courts, a surface known for slower ball speed and higher bounce, favoring baseline play.
The doubles draw included 16 teams, with four pairs receiving direct entry based on ATP rankings and others qualifying through preliminary rounds.

How It Works

The structure of the 2016 Open du Pays d'Aix – Doubles followed standard ATP Challenger Tour regulations, with specific rules governing player eligibility, match format, and point distribution. The doubles competition was designed to balance competitiveness with logistical efficiency over a six-day period.

Draw Size: The doubles draw featured 16 teams, with eight seeded pairs determined by combined ATP rankings. Seeding ensured top teams avoided early matchups.
Match Format: All matches were played in best-of-three sets, with a match tiebreak (first to 10 points) used in place of a third set.
Surface Type: The red clay courts at the Country Club Aix-en-Provence slowed ball speed, increasing rally length and favoring players with strong topspin.
Player Entry: Entry was based on ATP rankings, with wildcards granted to local or promising players, such as French doubles specialists.
Ranking Points: The champions earned 125 ATP ranking points, while finalists received 75 points, crucial for improving global standing.
Tournament Level: Classified as a Challenger 125, the event sat just below ATP Tour level, offering a pathway for players to break into higher-tier competitions.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the 2016 Open du Pays d'Aix – Doubles with similar ATP Challenger events in terms of prize money, surface, and ranking points:

Tournament	Location	Surface	Prize Money	ATP Points (Winner)
Open du Pays d'Aix 2016	Aix-en-Provence, France	Red Clay	€42,500	125
Challenger de Querétaro	Querétaro, Mexico	Hard	US$54,160	125
Internazionali di Tennis d'Abruzzo	San Benedetto del Tronto, Italy	Red Clay	€42,500	125
Lecco Challenge	Lecco, Italy	Red Clay	€37,500	80
Challenger Banque Nationale	Sherbrooke, Canada	Hard	US$54,160	125

The Open du Pays d'Aix was comparable to other European clay-court Challengers in prize money and points. Its location in southern France made it a strategic stop for players preparing for the French Open. The similar structure across events highlights the ATP's standardized Challenger Tour framework, ensuring consistent opportunities for player development.

Why It Matters

The 2016 Open du Pays d'Aix – Doubles played a significant role in the professional tennis ecosystem, particularly for players outside the top 50 rankings. It provided a competitive platform to earn points, gain match experience, and build doubles chemistry ahead of Grand Slam events.

Pathway to ATP Tour: Strong performances here helped players qualify for larger tournaments, including Grand Slam doubles draws.
Clay-Court Preparation: Held weeks before Roland Garros, it served as ideal preparation for players adapting to clay conditions.
Team Development: Doubles partnerships like Molteni and Schwartzman used the event to refine coordination and strategy.
Financial Support: Prize money, though modest, contributed to travel and training costs for lower-ranked professionals.
Local Engagement: The event boosted tennis visibility in southern France and supported regional sports infrastructure.
Ranking Impact: Earning 125 points significantly improved players' ATP doubles standings, influencing future seedings.

Ultimately, the 2016 Open du Pays d'Aix – Doubles exemplified the importance of the ATP Challenger Tour in nurturing talent and maintaining a robust tennis pipeline worldwide.