WS - The main favourites confirm their status

The world n°13 from Denmark Mia Blichfeldt is already out of the tournament. After her withdraw at early stage on home soil, Danisa Denmark Open, it seems that she was not physically ready. She lost to the Russian Evgenia Kosetskaya in 3 games, 21-11 16-21 21-15. Her disappointment was real at the mixed zone. « I’m very disappointed but also happy because I don’t feel any pain. » Credits to the Evgenia who managed to reach the 2nd round of the French Open.

The American Beiwen Zhang was favorite on this one but her opponent, the Korean KIM Ga Eun was stronger. For their first meeting, the American was most likely to win according to her ranking. Indeed, she arrived in Paris after a promising tournament in Denmark where she reached the Quarterfinals against the 2017 world Champion Nozomi Okuhara. Beiwen Zhang is already out of the French Open after her defeat to the twenty one year old Korean, 21-15 21-16.

Carolina Marin has shown quite some performances since her come back from injury. Victory in China Super 1000 and semi finals in Denmark Super 750. She hasn’t played since 2017 in Paris and she has always some great support from the crowd, especially in Paris. Her coach mentioned some tiredness after playing so many tournaments in a row. Today, she had to fight in 3 games against the Chinese Kai Yan Yan, 21-8 22-24 21-15.

The 2019 world champion, PV Sindhu is into 2nd round here in Paris. She defeated Michelle Li from Canada in straight games, 21-15 21-13. The Indian loves to play in Paris and the crowd always loves her! She will face the young player Yeo Jia Min from Singapore tomorrow.

For the first woman’s singles match of the tournament, both girls showed quite some fight spirit to reach the next round. Kristy Gilmour managed to take the first game (21-19) by pushing her limits physically. It was difficult for her to keep up that level during the 2nd game as her opponent was more aggressive (21-17) Ratchanok Intanon was better at the end, 8 points ahead at the break (11-3) The Scottish had some opportunities but she met stronger. She stayed lucid and positive about this match after her loss 19-21 21-17 21-9. « Every time I get to play someone like that, I get new ideas and I always come, (most of the time) quite positive ».

Lee Young Dea/Kim Gi Jung (KOR) vs LU Ching Yao/Yang Po Han (TPE) : The Korean pair won its spot into the next round after defeated a pair from Chinese Taipei (LU/YANG), in 36mn, 21-9 21-17.

The pair from Chinese Taipei LIAO Min Chun/SU Ching Heung only spent 26min on court for their 1st round match here in Paris, defeating the Americans CHEW/CHEW, 21-11 21-14.

Kamura/Sonoda (JPN) vs GOH/TAN (MAS) : the Japanese players needed some time to get into their match. After 53mn of match and the loss of the first game quite fast, the world n°4 managed to come back and secure its spot into the next round here in Paris. 11-21 21-14 21-16.

Han Cheng Kai/ZHOU Har Dong vs Mark Lamsfuss/Marvin Sedel : the 2018 French Open champions had to win his 3 games against the Germans.

Despite some very precise shots, the Germans couldn’t make it in the first set. They managed to be much more offensive in the second and push their opponent to a decisive game. At the end, the lack of regularity cost them the match. The Chinese are into the next round of the French Open 2019. 21-17, 18-21, 21-16)