Delphine Delrue and Thom Gicquel secured their third title of the 2026 season by winning the Hylo Open in Saarbrücken, Germany, marking their first career victory at the Super 500 level. The French duo, who recently ascended to world No. 3 in the Badminton World Federation (BWF) rankings, defeated the newly formed Danish pair of Jasper Toft and Amalie Cecilie Kudsk in a three-set final, 19-21, 22-20, 21-18.
A Breakthrough Win in Saarbrücken
The victory at the Hylo Open follows a competitive run at the French Open, where the French pair was eliminated in the semifinals by the world’s top-ranked team. In Saarbrücken, Delrue and Gicquel faced a challenging path against the Danish duo of Toft and Kudsk. The match required a comeback after the French pair dropped the first set and trailed 7-11 in the second, ultimately needing four set points to force a decider.
Delphine Delrue et Thom Gicquel en finale à l'Hylo Open en Allemagne !Le direct sur L'Équipe live > https://t.co/co0gCRzAx7#lequipeBADMINTON pic.twitter.com/bu1CaKlxZQ
Reflecting on the milestone, Delrue noted the significance of the achievement for their season goals. “It’s our first Super 500 trophy,” the BC Chambly athlete stated. “We are very happy because we wanted to win more titles than last season.” This win adds to their earlier 2026 successes at the World Championships and the Orléans Masters, the latter being a Super 300 event.
Tactical Adjustments During the Final
The match turned when the French pair adjusted their strategy during the second-set interval. According to Delrue, they had initially struggled to implement their game plan, finding themselves playing into the strengths of their opponent, Toft.
“At the change of ends, we told ourselves to play as if we were at INSEP and to go for it fully without thinking about the opponent,” Delrue said. “We were super aggressive and we came back quickly.” This tactical shift allowed them to regain momentum and navigate the high-pressure closing moments of the match.
Season Context and BWF Rankings
The Hylo Open title reinforces the consistent form of the French mixed doubles pair as they move deeper into the 2026 calendar. Their rise to the No. 3 spot in the global rankings earlier this week underscores their status among the elite in the discipline. With titles now secured across different tournament tiers—including the World Championships and the Super 300 level in Orléans—the pair continues to expand their trophy collection while maintaining a high competitive standard on the international circuit.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of the Hylo Open win for Delrue and Gicquel?
The victory represents the pair’s first title at the Super 500 level, which is a higher tier of competition than their previous 2026 win at the Super 300 Orléans Masters.
How did the French pair recover during the match?
After losing the first set and trailing 7-11 in the second, Delrue and Gicquel changed their approach during the interval to focus on an aggressive style of play, which allowed them to overcome the Danish pair.
What is the current global standing of the French duo?
Following their recent performances, Delphine Delrue and Thom Gicquel reached the No. 3 position in the BWF world rankings at the start of the week.
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