Badminton. Indonesian Masters: Thom Gicquel and Delphine Delrue deprived of the final

Delphine Delrue and Thom Gicquel faced this new Chinese pair for the first time. (Photo Raphael Sachetat/Badmintonphoto)

Despite the strong support of the Jakarta public and a close end to the match, Thom Gicquel and Delphine Delrue were beaten this Saturday in the semi-finals of the Indonesian Masters by a new Chinese duo.

Indonesia Masters in Jakarta (Super 500)

For this first duel against a new Chinese pair, Thom Gicquel and Delphine Delrue (world No.5) could count on the support of the public at Istora Stadium (7,166 seats). “Go Blues! ” ” Come on ! “, chanted the Indonesian public, won over to the cause of the tricolor pair, finalist here last year.

And it was necessary this support to face a pair Feng – Huang only N.42 but which includes in its ranks the Olympic vice-champion of the mixed doubles in Tokyo. Chinese leaders placing their pawns for the Paris Olympics in 2024.

Huang takes matters into his own hands

Until the approach of the break, the debates were balanced (8-8, 8-11). The tall Breton (1.86 m) may well return ten centimeters to Feng, he found the fault in his ground cover. It was therefore the experienced Huang who took matters into her own hands on the Chinese side to widen the gap (11-18). Faced with a confident pair, the player from Red Star Mulhouse and his partner from Chambly Oise felt the blow, seeing the first set fly away (13-21 in 18′).

At the change of sides, national coach Mihail Popov found the right words to revive the 2022 European vice-champions. Still down 11-8 at the break, Gicquel and Delrue (both 24) remained focused – even when the band of the net smiled at Feng – Huang -, seizing the slightest opportunity to close the gap (12-12, 17-17).

Finally in front at 19-18…

The Habs even passed in front of the score for the first time in the set (18-17). Feeling then her young teammate (21 years old) in difficulty, the vice-world champion 2028 (28 years old) again took the weight of the match on her solid shoulders to complete the match at 21-19 (13-21, 19-21 in 42′). And to hear the Chinese cries of joy, we understood that they were happy to avoid a third round which would have delighted the French camp and its many local supporters.

After three tournaments in Asia, the Bretillien and Val-d’Oisienne therefore leave with two quarter-finals in Super 1000 (Malaysia) and Super 750 (India), lost to the triple world champions and world number 1, and a second semi-final in Super 500. A good record, which confirms their place in the planetary elite, before participating in the great national badminton festival, next week in Cesson-Sévigné, for the French championships at the Glaz Arena. Where they will be favorites and, again, very encouraged.

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