Orleans, France – Thom Gicquel and Delphine Delrue of France secured the mixed doubles title at the Orleans Masters Badminton tournament on Sunday, defeating Denmark’s Mathias Christiansen and Alexandra Bøje in straight sets, 21-19, 21-13. The victory comes at a crucial time for the French pair, just two weeks before the start of the European Championships.
The win marks the fourth World Tour title for Gicquel and Delrue and their second Super 300 title, following a victory at the Swiss Open in 2021 against the same Danish duo. They previously won the Orleans tournament in 2019, when it was a Super 100 event. The French pair’s consistency is becoming a hallmark of their game, particularly after a heartbreaking loss in the All-England final recently, where they were aiming for a Super 1000 title following their 2025 Indonesia Open triumph.
“It’s cool to string together a final and then a win,” Gicquel said after the match, as reported by sources. “That’s our goal, to be able to string together this kind of performance. Before, every time we made a final, we were eliminated in the first or second round of the next tournament. Here, we managed to win.”
The first set was a tightly contested affair, with both pairs trading points. Gicquel and Delrue ultimately gained the upper hand in the crucial rallies, closing out the set 21-19. The second set saw a shift in momentum, as the French duo quickly established control and secured a decisive 21-13 victory, adding another French title to the Orleans Masters.
This tournament win provides a significant confidence boost as Gicquel and Delrue prepare to compete at the European Championships, which begin on April 6th. The pair are aiming to reclaim the European title they won in 2024, after finishing with a silver medal last year. “It’s a big goal for us, every year, to be European champions,” Gicquel stated. “The Danes will be keen to beat us.”
The Danish pair of Christiansen and Bøje, currently ranked 9th in the world in mixed doubles (as of January 27, 2026, according to the Badminton World Federation), presented a formidable challenge. Bøje, born in 1999, has established herself as a key player in Danish badminton, having also secured medals at the European Games and European Championships. She and Christiansen previously won the European Mixed Doubles title in 2021 and the Saarbrücken title in 2024.
The Orleans Masters also saw success for French players in other disciplines. Alex Lanier defended his title in the men’s singles, defeating Toma Junior Popov in the final. Nozomi Okuhara of Japan won the women’s singles title, completing a successful tournament for the host nation.
For Gicquel and Delrue, the Orleans Masters victory represents more than just another title. It’s a testament to their growing consistency and a strong signal of intent as they head into the European Championships. Their ability to bounce back from the disappointment of the All-England final demonstrates their resilience and determination to compete at the highest level. The French duo will undoubtedly be among the favorites for the European crown, and their recent performance in Orleans suggests they are well-prepared for the challenge.
The European Championships will be held from April 6th to April 12th. Fans can follow the tournament for updates and results on the Badminton World Federation website. The French pair will be looking to build on their momentum and secure another major title on home soil.
Archysport will continue to provide coverage of the European Championships as the tournament unfolds.
