French badminton players Alex Lanier and Christo Popov fought through taxing three-set matches on Thursday, October 15, to reach the quarterfinals of the Denmark Open Super 750 tournament in Odense.
Alex Lanier Overcomes Slow Start Against Srikanth Kidambi
Alex Lanier bounced back from a dismal opening game to defeat India’s Srikanth Kidambi 11-21, 21-15, 21-15 in a battle that tested the resilience of the 8th seed. Playing in his first major competition since claiming the world title in late August, the French eighth seed dropped the first frame decisively. Kidambi, ranked 31st in the world, then maintained pressure into the second set, pulling ahead at 12-8 before Lanier strung together six consecutive points to level the score.
The decisive third set remained deadlocked at 15-15 before another late surge from the Norman player secured his progression. Lanier now advances to face Taiwan’s Chou Tien Chen, ranked sixth globally, in Friday’s quarterfinals.
Christo Popov Survives Panitchaphon Teeraratsakul in a Three-Set Grinder
Christo Popov joined his compatriot in the final eight after a grueling 64-minute encounter against Thailand’s Panitchaphon Teeraratsakul, prevailing 18-21, 21-16, 21-16. The European champion and world number three dropped the first frame to the 18th-ranked Thai player before adjusting his tactics.
Trailing 10-6 in the second set, Popov relied on a durable defensive display and consistent baseline pressure to turn the tide. He ultimately clinched the victory with a sharp long-line smash. The Fos-sur-Mer native, who also reached the quarterfinals at the Danish event last year, will face Japan’s 23rd-ranked Yudai Okimoto on Friday for a spot in the semifinals.
Delphine Delrue and Thom Gicquel Fall in Mixed Doubles Heartbreaker
While the singles players advanced, the tournament ended abruptly for France’s top mixed doubles pairing. World champions Delphine Delrue and Thom Gicquel were eliminated in the round of 16 by Japan’s Koga and Saito in straight sets, 22-20, 21-19.
The French pair, ranked fourth in the world, dominated the opening stages and held six set points while leading 20-14 in the first frame. After squandering that advantage, the momentum shifted permanently to the 18th-ranked Japanese duo. Koga and Saito capitalized on late unforced errors, breaking a 17-17 tie in the second set with three consecutive points to seal the upset.
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