BIRMINGHAM, England – Thom Gicquel and Delphine Delrue saw their bid for a second Super 1000 title fall short on Sunday, March 8, 2026, at the All England Open. The French pair, favored in the final, were defeated by Taiwan’s Ye Hong-wei and Nicole Gonzales Chan 21-19, 21-18.
Just last June, Gicquel and Delrue made history by winning the Indonesia Open, securing the first Super 1000 title in French badminton history. They entered the All England Open with an opportunity to add another prestigious trophy to their collection, and after a strong showing in the earlier rounds, they were considered the team to beat against the Taiwanese duo.
The French pair had previously defeated Ye and Gonzales Chan in both of their prior meetings, most recently in the semi-final of the Kumamoto Masters in November. That history suggested a confident start for Gicquel and Delrue, and they initially seized control of the match, building a tiny lead of 3-4 points. However, the Taiwanese pair battled back, leveling the score at 18-18 before ultimately taking the first game.
The momentum continued to shift in favor of Ye and Gonzales Chan in the second game. Despite a determined effort, Gicquel and Delrue found themselves chasing the score, unable to regain the form that carried them through the earlier stages of the tournament. They ultimately succumbed to the pressure, falling short of a historic victory.
“They were less strong than in the quarter-finals and semi-finals, less inspired offensively,” a report from dicodusport.fr noted, summarizing the French pair’s performance.
This defeat marks a disappointing end to the tournament for Gicquel and Delrue, who were hoping to become the first French players to win the All England Open. While the result is undoubtedly a setback, it doesn’t diminish their accomplishments, including their groundbreaking win in Indonesia.
Super counter-attack! 💪
Follow live action: https://t.co/TjoFnU4PnB@HSBC_Sport
#BWFWorldTour #AllEngland2026 pic.twitter.com/CUKEhluur7— BWF (@bwfmedia) March 8, 2026
Thom Gicquel, born January 12, 1999, in Tours, France, and Delphine Delrue have quickly established themselves as a dominant force in international badminton. Their partnership, which began early in their careers, has yielded significant success, including a European Championship title in mixed doubles for Gicquel and multiple French championships in both mixed doubles and men’s doubles. The pair’s victory at the 2025 Indonesia Open was a watershed moment for French badminton, demonstrating the nation’s growing competitiveness on the world stage.
The All England Open is considered one of the most prestigious tournaments in badminton, often referred to as the “Grand Slam” of the sport. Held annually in Birmingham, England, the tournament attracts the world’s top players and provides a challenging test of skill, and endurance. The 2026 edition saw a high level of competition, with several upsets and thrilling matches throughout the week.
While this result is undoubtedly disappointing for Gicquel and Delrue, their journey is far from over. They remain a formidable pairing with the potential to achieve even greater success in the future. Fans will be eager to see how they respond to this setback and what adjustments they make as they prepare for upcoming tournaments.
The next major event on the badminton calendar is the Malaysia Masters, scheduled to begin on April 14, 2026. Gicquel and Delrue are expected to compete, and it will be an opportunity for them to bounce back from their defeat at the All England Open and continue their pursuit of further titles.
What are your thoughts on the match? Let us know in the comments below, and be sure to share this article with fellow badminton fans!
