The BWF World Tour Finals 2025 witnessed a “French Friday” to remember, as Thom Gicquel and Delphine Delrue breathed life into their semifinal hopes by toppling the tournament’s top-seeded mixed doubles pair. Their victory capped a sensational run for the French contingent, following Christo Popov’s historic triumph earlier in the day.
BWF World Tour Finals 2025: The Tactical Masterclass
After a heartbreaking opening-day loss where they squandered a lead against Feng Yang Zhe and Huang Dong Ping, Gicquel and Delrue entered the arena with a point to prove. Facing the Thai juggernauts Dechapol Puavaranukroh and Supissara Paewsampran, the French duo executed a high-intensity comeback to win 14-21, 21-14, 21-18.
Delphine Delrue highlighted the tactical shift that changed the match:
“In the first game, it was hard to play really short and under the net… after that, we fought a lot to do that and it was working.”
The win was as much a mental victory as a physical one. Gicquel admitted the pair was haunted by the previous day’s collapse, noting they were “scared” of a repeat finish but chose to focus on “doing the right stuff” and maintaining belief.
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Strength Over Style
While most players focus on technical drills at the season’s end, the French pair revealed a unique training pivot that has paid dividends in the grueling Hangzhou humidity.
- The Shift: Since returning from the Japan Masters, the pair has prioritized physical conditioning over on-court badminton drills.
- The Goal: Build a “physical base” not just for this tournament, but for the new season starting in just two weeks.
Christo Popov Makes History
The doubles victory mirrored a massive upset in the Men’s Singles. Christo Popov secured his place in the semifinals with a stunning 21-11, 18-21, 21-10 victory over world No. 2 and top seed Kunlavut Vitidsarn.
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Popov’s achievement is particularly remarkable as he is the first French singles player to reach the final four of the World Tour Finals. Despite waking up with significant leg pain following his marathon match against Anders Antonsen on Day 1, Popov relied on physio and grit to dismantle the Thai star.
