Semi-final day at the Orleans Masters was an exciting one for the home French supporters, which featured three home chances to get into the final. And it was a fantastic treble for France.
The first match was perhaps the most unlikely of the day. As Thomas Rouxel in the Men’s Singles had done very well thus far to reach the semi-final. He faced the top Dutch player, number two seed Mark Caljouw, an opponent he has not come close to beating on three previous occasions.
However, this time it was with home support. Which subsequently helped push him over the line in a very tight two-game victory, 21-19, 23-21.
The other two matches for France came in the Mixed Doubles. First on court was Ronan Labar and Anne Tran, who were flying high after defeating the tournament favourites and number one seeds, Ellis and Smith in the second round.
Meeting them in the semi-final, was also a surprise package from Indonesia, Rehan Kusharjanto and Lisa Kusumawati, who have had a gruelling week, going the distance in all their matches. This potential fatigue showed in the match with Labar and Tran swiftly securing their spot in the final, 21-10, 21-12.
Guaranteed French title
In the other Mixed Doubles semi-final, Thom Gicquel and Delphine Delrue, who too defeated high seeds in Lane/ Pugh and Dremin/ Dimova on their path to glory. Standing in their way to the final were the dangerous Taiwanese pair Lee Yang and Chang Hsin Tien. Lee Yang is a top 10 Men’s Doubles player.
To the delight of the crowd, it was a 3-game thriller. Lee and Chang came frown behind to steal the opening game. However, Gicquel and Delrue stayed strong, winning a tight second game and forced a decider.
At this crucial time, they found themselves 17-13 behind, but then used the huge home support to chase the score and book their spot in the final, stealing the vital game, finishing the match 25-27, 21-19, 21-19.
Now of course they will meet their compatriots in the final for a guaranteed French title win.
Full results and fixtures click
here.