Past 16e world place at 5e in just one year, after an exceptional 2025 season marked by a European vice-championship title, a first victory in Super 1000 and one bonze medal at the Paris World Championshipsthe French Thom Gicquel and Delphine Delrue are competing, for the second time in their career (semi-final in 2020), in the BWF World Tour in Hangzhou (China). The conclusion of the season for the eight best pairs in the world, including the French. “The icing on the cake” for the recruit from Flume Ille Badminton (Ille-et-Vilaine).
Read also: INTERVIEW. Thom Gicquel: “The world medal cannot be taken away from me”
For their entry into the competition, this Friday, December 17, the French faced the local pair Zhen Bang Jiang/Ya Win Wei (world No. 4). After winning the first set (21-16), the French lost the next set by the same score.
Everything was going to be decided on 3e set and last set. Which started well for the French, who took the lead (8-5), before seeing the Chinese pick up (9-9) and in turn lead the debates. The French hung on, never trailing by more than a point until 16-16. But the Chinese ended up achieving the break at the best moment (16-19), before concluding their 2e match shuttlecock (17-21).
The world No. 3 this Thursday
For their second group match, this Thursday, December 18, the French will challenge the Thai world No. 3 Puavaranukroh/Paewsampran who also lost their entry into the running, against the Japanese Midorikawa/Saito (19-21, 18-21).
This Wednesday, the Frenchman Christo Popov faces the Dane Anders Antonsen, for his entry into the World Tour Finals, in singles.
