GICQUEL and DELRUE save the French honor

The DTN of the French Badminton Federation had announced the color on Monday in a press conference: "minimum objective quarterfinals for Thom and Delphine." In front of the French number 6 seed, a Taiwanese pair LEE Jhe-Huei and HSU Ya Ching (n°42) and a first round therefore rather affordable. Hustled at the beginning of the first set (11/10 for the French), they then took the lead to win the first set 21/12. Well launched at the beginning of the second set, the French Champions came with two opportunities to finish at 20/18. They finally made the suspense last to win 24/22. 

In mixed zone, they confided to us that they felt "hyper stressed at the end of the match. Since last week, we have difficulty to finish the games (...) It's our first victory here, probably the hardest, it will destress us for tomorrow". We will meet them tomorrow against LEE Chun Hei Reginald and NG Tsz Yau (n°36, Hong Kong) to get a ticket for the quarters. 

On paper, the match seemed difficult for Margot LAMBERT and Anne TRAN. The 34th in the world were on the way of the Korean KIM SO Yeong and KONG Hee Yong 2nd in the world. But the French didn't let themselves be impressed, staying in contact at the break of the first set 9/11 under the impulse of Anne TRAN who was probably more liberated after her mixed game in the morning. But more incisive on the attacking phases, the winners of the Korean Masters won the game: 21/14. Still a little behind in the second set, and despite 3 match points saved, the best French players in the discipline finally lost: 14/21 16/21. 

Mixed feeling in the mixed zone for Anne TRAN : "it was a good match after it's true that it lacks this little trick to challenge them during the whole match. There is always a little moment when we have holes, when we make easy mistakes. The level of play is there but we have to maintain it during the whole game to hope to win."

After yesterday's doubles loss with his brother, Toma Junior POPOV took to the court with the intention of reaching the second round in the men's singles. On his way, the experienced WANG Tzu Wei, 17th in the world ranking. A balanced match on the paper since the fossan is ranked 23rd. The first set was a one-way affair, with the Frenchman being attacked by the Taiwanese.