German Open (Super 300) in Mulheim
Solid in the Top 12, Saturday with Mulhouse, the Bretillien Thom Gicquel hoped to continue on this good momentum, for his reunion with his partner Delphine Delrue. Head to the neighboring German Open and Mulheim, near Duisburg, for this second chapter of the season. A first step crossed, this Tuesday, in 37 minutes for the world N.12 against the Indian pair Arjun – Jolly (N.139). After a smoothly led first set (11-3, 21-9), the Habs were hooked by the young (18) Jolly and her partner (11-11, 18-18). But Thom Gicquel and Delphine Delrue, both 23, now have enough experience and margin on such opponents to avoid a risky and energy-consuming third round (21-18).
In the next round (round of 16), Thursday, the quadruple champions of France will face either the Dutch Tabeling – Piek (N.20), against whom they are 1-1 in their duels, or the Japanese Yamashita – Shinoya (N .42), for what would be a first.
Xuefei Qi betrayed by her ankle
At the start of the program, this Tuesday, things had turned sour for the two other Bretons entered in this Super 300 ($180,000 in earnings). Opposed for the first time to the Japanese Takahashi (N.13), Xuefei Qi (N.43) was taken from the start (11-7, 21-11). Much more in her legs at the start of the second round, the BC Rostrenen badiste thus turned in the lead at the break (11-9), jostling (13-10) the finalist of the last French Open (Super 750). Unfortunately, Xuefei Qi then twisted her ankle and, despite her attempt to resume the game, she had to give up at 14-14.
At the same time, Thomas Rouxel (N.41) found himself for the second time (defeat 18-21, 21-19, 16-21 in 2018) the Chinese Lu (N.27). But unlike their previous game in Canada, the Bretillien from Maure-de-Bretagne never managed to find the right rhythm against the winner of the Sudirman Cup 2021, losing 21-13, 21-8 (36 ‘) .
Time for care for Qi, normally engaged next week at the prestigious All England in Birmingham (against the American Wang, N.35, in the 1st round) and return to training for Rouxel, in contention, him, from the March 22 at the Swiss Open in Basel (against the Indonesian Christie, N.8, in the 1st round!).
