BIRMINGHAM, England – The dream week continues for France’s Thom Gicquel and Delphine Delrue at the YONEX All England Open Badminton Championships 2026 in Birmingham. The French duo secured their place in the final, defeating China’s Guo Xin Wa and Chen Fang Hui 11-21, 21-18, 21-12 in a thrilling semi-final match on Wednesday.
Gicquel and Delrue’s path to the final hasn’t been without its challenges. After an authoritative quarter-final victory against the world No. 2 pairing, Jiang and Wei, in straight sets (21-16, 21-16), they faced another formidable Chinese team in Guo and Chen, ranked No. 6 in the world. The semi-final proved to be a test of resilience for the French pair.
The opening game saw the Chinese duo dominate, taking it 21-11. However, Gicquel and Delrue demonstrated their championship mettle, quickly regrouping and fighting back to claim the second game 21-18. They then carried that momentum into the decisive third game, securing a convincing 21-12 victory.
This appearance in the All England Open final marks another significant milestone for French badminton. It also puts Gicquel and Delrue within reach of their second Super 1000 title, following their triumph last year in Indonesia. The Super 1000 designation signifies the tournament’s high level of competition and prestige within the Badminton World Federation (BWF) tour.
The comeback win in the semi-final highlights the pair’s ability to adapt and overcome adversity. Falling behind early in the match, they adjusted their strategy and found a way to exploit weaknesses in their opponents’ game. This adaptability will be crucial as they prepare for the final.
In the final, Gicquel and Delrue will face either Hong Kong’s Tang and Tse, or Taiwan’s Ye and Chan. The identity of their opponents will be confirmed following the conclusion of the other semi-final match. Regardless of who they face, the French pair will be looking to continue their impressive run of form.
The All England Open Badminton Championships is one of the oldest and most prestigious tournaments in the sport, dating back to 1899. Winning the title carries significant weight within the badminton community and represents a pinnacle of achievement for any player. The tournament attracts top players from around the globe, making the competition exceptionally fierce.
For Gicquel and Delrue, this final represents an opportunity to cement their status as one of the leading doubles pairs in the world. Their consistent performances over the past year have demonstrated their potential, and a victory at the All England Open would be a testament to their hard work and dedication.
The final is scheduled for tomorrow, and badminton fans worldwide will be eagerly tuning in to witness the culmination of this exciting tournament. The match promises to be a captivating contest, with both pairs vying for the coveted All England Open title.
Following the match, Gicquel and Delrue’s next scheduled tournament is currently unconfirmed. Updates regarding their future participation will be available on the Badminton Europe website and through official BWF channels.
What do you think? Can Gicquel and Delrue take home the title? Share your predictions in the comments below!
