World Championships in Huelva (Spain)
They might lead 2-0 in their duels with Mikkelsen – Soby (world No. 40), Thom Gicquel and Delphine Delrue (No. 12) knew that they should be wary of this entry into the running for the world championships in Huelva ( Spain). Jostled, pushed to the fault by the Danish duo who had been able to make the playing conditions in the Palace of Sports Carolina Marin, the Tricolores lost the first round, rather sharply (14-21).
A high voltage final
“We have to get into it,” said coach Baptiste Carême at the change. Get into the court and finally into the match! Applied and finally in rhythm, Thom Gicquel and Delphine Delrue then held the game and their rank to equalize a set everywhere (21-16).
The decisive round was also well underway (8-5) but the Scandinavians did not give up (12-12 then 17-16). Fortunately, their recent high-tension end-of-game experience enabled the French to negotiate money time well and ensure victory over a final video challenge (21-18, 1:09 ‘match).
In the next round (round of 16), Thom Gicquel and Delphine Delrue will face the Japanese Kaneko – Matsumoto (N.18), whom they have never played before.
No 3rd set for Rouxel
Earlier this Tuesday, the Bretillian from Moor-de-Bretagne, Thomas Rouxel (N.38) had stumbled against the Canadian Brian Yang (N.41). Exempted from the first round following the forfeit of Ginting (N.5), Rouxel was surprised by a young (20 years old) who goes up (champion of the Pan-American Games 2021).
Led a set to zero (12-21), Thomas Rouxel seemed, at 20-17, able to equalize but the Breton licensed in Chambly (Oise) failed to convert one of his three set shuttlecocks and Yang managed to avoid the cold sweats of a third set against a much more experienced player (20 years old) on the circuit (21-12, 24-22 in 49 ‘of match). A great missed opportunity in a rather open game.
