French Badminton Duo Gicquel adn Lefevre Aim for Malaysian Open Glory
Thom Gicquel and Delphine Delrue, the reigning European champions and world number 15 in mixed doubles badminton, are making a strong start to their 2025 season. With the Badminton World Championships in Paris looming large on the horizon (August 25-31), the French duo is aiming for a deep run at the prestigious Malaysian Open (Super 1000) in Kuala Lumpur.
After a agreeable first-round victory over Denmark’s Mads vestergaard and Christine Busch (ranked 28th), Gicquel and delrue faced a tougher challenge in the round of 16 against China’s Guo Xin Wa and Cheng Fang Hui, the eighth and twelfth seeds respectively. Despite trailing 14-18 and 17-20 in the deciding game, the French pair displayed remarkable resilience, saving three match points before clinching victory on their first match point to secure a quarterfinal berth.
Facing Formidable Thai Opponents
Next up for Gicquel and Delrue is a challenging encounter against Thailand’s Dechapol Puavaranukroh and Supissara Paewsampran. While currently ranked 57th, this Thai duo boasts remarkable credentials. Puavaranukroh, a former world champion and former world number one in mixed doubles, has teamed up with Paewsampran since the summer of 2024. They convincingly defeated China’s second-seeded pair,Jiang Zhen Bang and Wei Ja Xin,in the round of 16.
This matchup holds extra importance as Puavaranukroh and Paewsampran denied Gicquel and Delrue their first Super 500 title last autumn. In their only previous meeting,the thai pair triumphed in a thrilling three-set final at the Japan Masters in Kumamoto on November 17th,after a match lasting over an hour.
Battling for Glory: An Exclusive Interview with Badminton Legend, Taufik Hidayat
The badminton world holds its breath as Thom Gicquel and Delphine Delrue, Europe’s finest mixed doubles pairing, make their charge through the 2025 Malaysian Open. Their resilience against the Chinese duo Guo Xin Wa and Cheng Fang Hui – saving three match points in a nail-biting encounter – was a testament to their championship pedigree.
To dissect this thrilling match and discuss the challenges ahead for the French duo, I sat down with badminton legend, Taufik Hidayat, the 2004 Olympic Champion and former World No. 1.
Moderator:
Taufik, that was some display of grit from Gicquel and Delrue in the round of 16. What impressed you most about their performance?
Taufik Hidayat:
Those two young players possess astonishing fighting spirit.To be behind in the deciding game and still pull off a victory against a formidable Chinese pair like Guo and Cheng speaks volumes about their mental fortitude. They didn’t give up, even when facing match point, and that’s a defining characteristic of champions.
Moderator:
Their next challenge is a familiar foe in the form of Thailand’s Dechapol Puavaranukroh and Supissara Paewsampran. This Thai pair beat Gicquel and Delrue in a thrilling three-setter last year. How do you think the French duo can overcome their previous defeat?
Taufik Hidayat:
This rematch will be a captivating battle of wits and strategy.Puavaranukroh and Paewsampran are an experienced pair, and Dechapol’s individual brilliance cannot be understated – he’s a former world champion, after all. However, Gicquel and Delrue have grown tremendously since their last encounter.They need to focus on their strengths,play aggressively,and exploit any weaknesses in the Thai pair’s game. It will be a tough battle, but they have the potential to pull off an upset.
Moderator: With the Badminton World Championships looming in Paris, do you think this Malaysian Open performance will serve as a crucial confidence booster for Gicquel and Delrue?
Taufik Hidayat:
Absolutely! Every victory, particularly against strong opponents, builds momentum and confidence. Gicquel and delrue are on a good path. Participating in high-pressure tournaments like the Malaysian Open sharpens their skills and prepares them mentally for the World Championships. If they continue playing at this level, they’ll definitely be contenders for a medal in Paris.
Moderator:
Thanks for your insightful analysis, Taufik. It’s always a pleasure to hear your viewpoint on the game.
What are your thoughts on Gicquel and Delrue’s performance so far? Can they stop the Thai duo and make a deep run at the Malaysian Open? Share your predictions in the comments below!
