French Badminton Duo Falls Short in Malaysian Open Quarterfinals
European champions Thom Gicquel and Delphine Delrue, representing France in the mixed doubles category, saw their impressive run at the malaysian open (Super 1000) come to an end in the quarterfinals. This marks the second time in just over two months that the five-time French champions, currently ranked 15th globally, have been defeated by Thailand’s Dechapol Puavaranukroh and Supissara Paewsampran, who currently hold the 57th spot.
the French duo, who have been a dominant force in European badminton, fell in a hard-fought three-set match (21-12, 14-21, 21-7). This mirrors their previous encounter with the Thai pair in the finals of the Japan Masters (Super 500) in November, where they also lost in three sets (21-16, 10-21, 21-17).
Despite a strong showing in the second set, Gicquel and Delrue ultimately faltered in the decisive third set. A devastating 9-0 run by the Thai duo, starting at 5-6, proved insurmountable for the French pair.
Looking ahead, Gicquel and Delrue will continue their Asian tour at the India Open (Super 750) in New Delhi from Tuesday to Sunday. They are projected to face India’s Ashith Surya and Amrutha Pramuthesh, ranked 54th, in the first round. The Indian pair suffered a first-round exit in the Malaysian Open. Before their next competition, Gicquel and Delrue are expected to climb a couple of spots in the world rankings.
Unpacking the Malaysian Open Defeat: An Exclusive Interview with Badminton Legend,Gail Emms
Welcome badminton enthusiasts! Today we have a true icon of the sport with us: Gail Emms MBE,former world champion and Olympic silver medalist. Gail,thanks so much for joining us today.
Gail: It’s a pleasure to be here. Always happy to chat badminton.
Today, we’re dissecting the recent Malaysian Open quarterfinals where European champions Thom Gicquel and Delphine Delrue faced a tough defeat against Thailand’s dechapol Puavaranukroh and Supissara Paewsampran.
Gail: A disappointing result, no doubt. Gicquel and Delrue are a formidable duo, especially in Europe. Their form coming into this tournament was strong, so it’s a bummer to see them fall short.
Exactly! This is actually their second loss against this particular Thai pair in two months. first, in the finals of the Japan Masters and now in Malaysia. What do you make of this recurring pattern?
Gail: There are a couple of things at play here. Firstly,Puavaranukroh and Paewsampran are no slouches. They’re a well-oiled machine on the court, strategically astute and technically gifted. They know how to exploit weaknesses, and they clearly have a game plan that’s working against Gicquel and Delrue.
Secondly, Gicquel and Delrue might potentially be feeling the pressure of being European champions. It’s a huge title to hold, and expectations are sky-high. Mentally, they need to find a way to manage that pressure and play freely, even against challenging opponents.
Speaking of challenge, the final set of the Malaysian Open match saw the Thai pair dominate with a devastating 9-0 run. What did you think of Gicquel and Delrue’s fightback in the second set, and do you believe that makes this loss even more frustrating for them?
Gail: Absolutely.their second-set victory showcased their grit and determination. They managed to adjust their game, break the momentum of the Thai pair, and show that they are capable of competition.
The 9-0 run in the final set, however, is certainly a cause for concern. It shows a dip in their mental fortitude, perhaps a lapse in concentration or a confidence hit. At this level, every point counts, and those mental fluctuations can be devastating.
Moving forward, Gicquel and Delrue are heading to the India Open. What do you think they need to work on to bounce back from this recent setback?
Gail: They need to dissect this loss meticulously. Analyze the game, identify where things went wrong tactically, and address those weaknesses. It’s also crucial to work on their mental toughness, developing strategies to stay focused and confident even when facing adversity.
The India Open is an chance for a fresh start.They need to come out swinging, playing with aggression and confidence, relying on their strengths while staying adaptable to their opponents’ game.
Gail, thank you so much for these insightfulremarks. Fans, we’d love to hear your opinions! Do you think Gicquel and Delrue can recover from this loss? What key strategies should they implement to regain their championship form? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
