The second European swing came to an end yesterday, Sunday 1 November. Over four intense weeks, the world’s best players faced off in four tournaments: the Arctic Open in Finland (Super 500), the Denmark Open (Super 750), the French Open (Super 750) and the Hylo Open in Germany (Super 500). From titles to semi-finals and confirmations, here is a look back at the performances of our Orléans Masters Badminton champions.
Alex LANIER, Denmark Open champion
In men’s singles, Alex LANIER (No. 4, France) kept up his fine momentum following his World Championships triumph. The Frenchman won the Denmark Open (Super 750), beating Anders ANTONSEN (No. 3) on home soil in the final in a three-game match, 21/15, 13/21, 21/13.
At the French Open, Alex then reached the semi-finals. He pushed Indonesia’s Mohammad Zaki UBAIDILLAH (No. 25) to a third game, but lost 16/21, 21/16, 17/21.
Nozomi OKUHARA, three semi-finals
In women’s singles, Nozomi OKUHARA (No. 9, Japan) showed great consistency. The Japanese player reached the last four in all three tournaments she entered, but each time came up against a stronger opponent.
At the Arctic Open, she lost to Denmark’s Mia BLICHFELDT (No. 14), 11/21, 7/21. She then faced world No. 1 AN Se Young twice. At the Denmark Open, she lost 16/21, 8/21. At the French Open, she put up more of a fight but lost again, 12/21, 19/21. The South Korean went on to win the title.
HU Ke Yuan and LIN Xiang Yi, a fine French Open
In men’s doubles, HU Ke Yuan and LIN Xiang Yi (No. 18, China) had a difficult start to the swing, going out in the first round of the Arctic Open, then in the second round of the Denmark Open.
The Chinese pair bounced back at the French Open, reaching the quarter-finals. Their run ended narrowly against Indonesia’s Raymond INDRA and Nikolaus JOAQUIN (No. 12), 21/23, 18/21.
Miyu TAKAHASHI and Sumire NAKADE, a swing of ups and downs
In women’s doubles, Miyu TAKAHASHI and Sumire NAKADE (No. 11, Japan) were knocked out in the second round of the Arctic Open. They made up for it at the Denmark Open by reaching the semi-finals, where they lost in three games to their compatriots Hinata SUZUKI and Nao YAMAKITA (No. 13), 18/21, 21/18, 18/21. The latter went on to win the tournament.
The two pairs met again in the second round of the French Open, and once again it was Suzuki and Yamakita who had the final say.
Thom GICQUEL and Delphine DELRUE, champions in Germany
In mixed doubles, Thom GICQUEL and Delphine DELRUE (No. 3, France) carried on after their World Championships triumph. After a second-round exit at the Denmark Open, they reached the semi-finals of the French Open, where they lost to China’s FENG Yan Zhe and HUANG Dong Ping (No. 1), 21/19, 17/21, 19/21.
They then bounced back superbly at the Hylo Open (Super 500), which they won. In the final, the French pair beat Denmark’s Jesper TOFT and Amalie Cecilie KUDSK in a hard-fought match, 19/21, 22/20, 21/18.
An eventful European swing for the colours of Orléans Masters Badminton, with two titles (Alex LANIER at the Denmark Open, Thom GICQUEL and Delphine DELRUE at the Hylo Open) and several top-level semi-finals. A great momentum ahead of the next edition of the tournament.
To see all the results, click HERE
Are you an FFBaD licence holder? Orléans Masters 2027 ticketing is already open, click HERE
Don't hesitate to follow us on social media for more news on the Orléans Masters Champions: Facebook / Instagram
