LEE et BAEK took their revenge

That was THE match of the day in the women’s double disciple. On my left, the World Champions CHEN Qing Chen and JIA Yi Fan from China. And on my right, LEE So Hee (who won the last 2 French Open editions with SHIN Seung Chan) and BAEK Ha Na, Korea. Their association as a team is quite recent. In fact, their first tournament together was the Denmark Open last week. A competition in which they reached the final, beaten by their today’s opponents CHEN Qing Chen and JIA Yi Fan.  

Whereas the odds were against them, the Koreans took control of the first game. Putting a lot of pressure to quickly take the lead (9/2). They then succeeded in keeping this advantage and took the first set : 21/16.  

The beginning of the second set was way tougher than the first with a lot of ties until 7/7. At this point, it was the Koreans who took the lead once more. However, thanks to several rallies as long as wonderful, it is the world number one who offered themselves 2 opportunities to win the second set. Nevertheless, LEE and BAEK outstandingly saved those 2 set points to overcome CHEN and JIA and ultimately win their ticket for the semis : 21/16 23/21.  

In her match analysis, BAEK HA Na told us : “ We knew that their was going to be a lot of long rallies. At the end, we were all tensed, the 4 of us. Tactics were to keep on attacking to pierce their defense. I think they lost their confidence in their defense near the end. (…) In Denmark, the shuttles flied so fast so we changed our tactics to propose a more physical approach”.  

From her point of view, LEE Se Hee was so glad to defend her title here in Paris : “I really enjoy playing here, every time I feel so good on court. So I am really looking forward to win a third title in a row”.