French Duo Gicquel and Delrue Continue Strong Form at Orléans Masters
Orléans, France – Recent finalists at the prestigious All England Open, France’s Thom Gicquel and Delphine Delrue are continuing their impressive run of form, reaching the semifinals of the Orléans Masters on Friday, March 20th. The tournament, a Super 300 event, represents the second most important badminton competition held in France.
The top-seeded French pair overcame a tough challenge from China’s Cheng/Zhang in a three-game quarterfinal match. Gicquel and Delrue secured the victory with scores of 21-9, 21-23, 21-17, demonstrating resilience after a mid-match dip in performance. This marks another significant step for the duo as they build momentum on the international circuit.
The Orléans Masters provides a crucial opportunity for Gicquel and Delrue to build on their recent success. For badminton fans unfamiliar with the tournament structure, Super 300 events are a tier below the Super 500 and Super 1000 tournaments, offering valuable ranking points and competitive experience.
Gicquel and Delrue started strongly, dominating the first game. However, the Chinese pair mounted a comeback in the second, forcing a tight contest. The French duo ultimately regained their composure in the deciding game, showcasing their ability to perform under pressure. It was their second time dropping a game in the tournament, having also faced a challenge in the round of 16 against Indian opponents Kapoor/Gadde.
In the semifinals on Saturday, March 21st, Gicquel and Delrue will face Taiwan’s Liu/Jheng, currently ranked 46th in the world. This will be a key test for the French pair as they aim to reach the final and compete for the title.
Lucia Rodriguez Also Reaches Semifinals
The success wasn’t limited to Gicquel and Delrue for the French team. Lucia Rodriguez, a teammate of Gicquel at Flume Ille Badminton, also advanced to the semifinals alongside her partner Ruben Garcia. The Spanish duo secured a hard-fought three-game victory over China’s Zhu/Li, with a final score of 21-23, 23-21, 21-19.
Rodriguez’s strong performance adds to the positive outlook for French badminton, highlighting the growing depth of talent within the national program. The Flume Ille Badminton club, based in Rennes, is clearly playing a role in developing competitive players on the international stage.
Gicquel and Delrue’s journey to the Orléans Masters semifinals comes after a heartbreaking defeat in the All England Open final on March 8th, where they lost to Taiwan’s Ye Hong Wei and Nicole Chan in two sets (21-19, 21-18). Despite a strong start in the first set, the French pair were unable to maintain their momentum against the experienced Taiwanese duo. That loss, however, appears to have fueled their determination at the Orléans Masters.
Delphine Delrue, born November 6, 1998 and Thom Gicquel have established themselves as a formidable force in the world of badminton, particularly in mixed doubles. Notably, they became the first French pair to win a Super 1000 title at the Indonesia Open on June 8, 2025, a landmark achievement for French badminton. Currently ranked 5th in the world in mixed doubles, they are consistently among the top contenders in major tournaments.
The Orléans Masters semifinals promise exciting matchups as Gicquel and Delrue, along with Rodriguez and Garcia, continue to represent France on the international stage. Fans can follow the tournament’s progress and results on the Badminton World Federation (BWF) website for the latest updates.
The next challenge for Gicquel and Delrue will be their semifinal match against Liu/Jheng on Saturday, March 21st. A win would propel them into the final, where they will have the opportunity to compete for the Orléans Masters title. Stay tuned to Archysport for further coverage of the tournament and the French team’s performance.
