BIRMINGHAM, England – Thom Gicquel and Delphine Delrue have advanced to the semifinals of the prestigious All England Open badminton tournament, marking a historic achievement for French mixed doubles. The duo defeated the world No. 2 Chinese pair of Jiang Zhen Bang and Wei Ya Xin in straight sets, 21-16, 21-16, on Friday, March 6, 2026, at the Utilita Arena Birmingham.
This victory is particularly significant as it’s the first time a French mixed doubles team has reached this stage of the All England Open, a tournament widely considered the oldest and one of the most important in the badminton world. The French pair, currently ranked No. 5 globally, demonstrated a commanding performance, leaving their higher-ranked opponents with little opportunity to gain momentum.
“We had a super match today, and we’re very happy with the performance,” Gicquel said after the match, as reported by sources. “We had never beaten them before, but it had always been close, so we knew it was possible if we played well and remained solid throughout the match.”
The match unfolded with Gicquel and Delrue quickly establishing control. While the Chinese pair managed to stay competitive in the early stages of each game, the French duo consistently pulled ahead, showcasing their aggressive play and precision. A pivotal 8-1 run in the first set allowed them to seize a commanding lead and ultimately secure the first game 21-16. The second game followed a similar pattern, with Gicquel and Delrue maintaining their intensity and closing out the match in 42 minutes with another 21-16 victory.
This win comes after Gicquel and Delrue previously defeated the Japanese pair of Shimogami/Hobara on Thursday, continuing their impressive run through the tournament without dropping a single set. Their consistency and composure have positioned them as serious contenders for the title.
The All England Open holds a special place in the hearts of badminton enthusiasts, and Gicquel described it as “the most prestigious tournament in the world.” The atmosphere at the Utilita Arena Birmingham was electric as the French pair wrote another memorable chapter in their careers.
Looking ahead, Gicquel and Delrue will face another Chinese duo, Guo Xin Wa and Chen Fang Hui (ranked No. 6), in the semifinals on Saturday. While the French pair has had success against Guo and Chen in the past – winning two of their three previous encounters – their most recent meeting, in the quarterfinals of the 2025 All England Open, resulted in a loss for Gicquel and Delrue. Gicquel described his upcoming opponents as “underrated,” suggesting they will need to be prepared for a challenging match.
This semifinal appearance builds on the momentum the French pair gained in June 2025, when they became the first French team to win a Super 1000 title in mixed doubles in Indonesia. They will be aiming to replicate that success on the historic courts of Birmingham.
Into the semi final!🎉
Thom Gicquel and Delphine Delrue defeat the number 2 seeds Jiang and Wei to reach the YONEX All England semi-finals!🥳#YAE26#Yonexallengland
— 🏸 Yonex All England Badminton Championships 🏸 (@YonexAllEngland) March 6, 2026
The semifinal match between Gicquel/Delrue and Guo/Chen is scheduled for Saturday morning. Fans can follow updates and results on the Badminton World Federation (BWF) website and through official tournament social media channels. This match represents a significant opportunity for the French duo to continue their remarkable run and potentially claim their first All England Open title.
For those following the tournament from around the globe, the time difference should be considered. The semifinal match will be held in Birmingham, United Kingdom (GMT), and broadcast schedules will vary depending on regional television and streaming rights.
The success of Gicquel and Delrue at the All England Open is a testament to their dedication, skill, and growing prominence in the world of badminton. Their journey continues, and fans will be eagerly watching to notice if they can complete their quest for championship glory.
