Mixed Doubles Triumph, Singles Heartbreak for french Badminton stars at Malaysian Open
The 2025 Malaysian Open, a prestigious Super 1000 event on the World Tour, saw mixed fortunes for France’s top badminton players. While Thom Gicquel and Delphine Delrue advanced confidently, Alex Lanier’s journey was cut short in a thrilling three-set battle.
Gicquel and Delrue, the reigning European champions and ranked 15th globally in mixed doubles, dominated their opening match against Denmark’s Mads Vestergaard and Christine Busch. The French duo,who had previously overcome this Danish pair in a close encounter at the 2022 Royal Arctic Open in Finland,secured a decisive victory with scores of 21-9 and 21-12.This impressive performance propelled them into the round of 16, where they faced the formidable Chinese pairing of guo Xin Wa and Cheng Fang Hui, seeded eighth in the tournament.
Simultaneously occurring, Lanier, France’s top-ranked singles player at number 18, faced a tough challenge in his opening match against Kunlavut Vitidsarn, the world number five and fifth seed from Thailand. Despite a valiant effort, Lanier narrowly lost in a nail-biting three-set match that lasted over an hour. The Frenchman pushed Vitidsarn, the reigning world champion and Olympic silver medalist, to the limit, winning the second set convincingly after dropping the first. In a tense final set, Lanier saved two match points but ultimately fell short, losing 21-11, 21-12, 23-21.
lanier’s early exit from the Malaysian Open highlights the fierce competition at the highest level of badminton. Despite the disappointment, his performance against Vitidsarn demonstrated his potential and determination. he will now turn his attention to the upcoming Super 750 tournament in New Delhi, India, where he will face another daunting challenge against the world number one, Shi Yu Qi, the reigning World Tour Finals champion.
A Battle Won and Lost: Analyzing France’s Badminton Fortunes at the 2025 Malaysian Open
Welcome back, badminton fans! Today we’re diving deep into a contrasting tale of triumph and heartbreak for france’s top shuttlers at the 2025 Malaysian Open. joining me today to dissect the action is the legendary former player and current commentator, Pierre-Hugues Herbert. Pierre, thanks for being here!
Pierre-Hugues Herbert: Always a pleasure to discuss the sport I love!
Let’s start with the good news – Thom Gicquel and Delphine Delrue, our reigning European champions, secured a commanding victory in their opening round. They dominated the Danish duo of Vestergaard and Busch, a team they’ve faced and conquered before.
Pierre-Hugues Herbert: Absolutely! That was a performance that echoes their European Championship winning form.Gicquel and Delrue are a force to be reckoned with in mixed doubles, and this victory showcases their tactical cohesion and powerful playing style.
Their next opponents are the tough Chinese pair Guo xin Wa and Cheng Fang Hui. What do you see as the key to Gicquel and Delrue overcoming this challenge?
Pierre-Hugues Herbert: The Chinese duo are no pushovers! They are fast, agile, and have a diverse arsenal of shots. Gicquel and Delrue will need to be prepared for long rallies and strong net play. Controlling the pace of the game and maintaining their mental fortitude will be crucial.
Now let’s switch gears and discuss Alex Lanier.His loss against Kunlavut Vitidsarn, while disappointing, was undoubtedly a close and hard-fought battle. What were your thoughts on Lanier’s performance?
Pierre-Hugues Herbert: Lanier showed grit and determination against vitidsarn, a world-class player no doubt. Taking a set off him, especially in such a high-stakes match, is no mean feat. He displayed good shot selection and composure, even coming back from match point down. That resilience is vital at this level.
Lanier’s next hurdle is Shi Yu Qi, the world number one, in the upcoming Super 750 tournament.
Pierre-Hugues herbert: That is a monumental challenge! Shi Yu Qi is a seasoned champion who brings extraordinary control and power to the court.
Lanier will need to be at his absolute best, minimizing unforced errors and capitalizing on any opportunities Shi Yu qi presents. This is a reminder how cutthroat the badminton landscape is.
Now, let’s open this up to our audience. What were your thoughts on the performances of Gicquel/Delrue and Lanier? Share your insights and predictions for their upcoming matches. Do you think lanier’s loss against Vitidsarn will be a setback or a valuable learning experience? Let’s discuss!
