Orleans Masters: Fledglings Forge Forward
There will be as many as five first-time HSBC BWF World Tour finalists at the Orléans Masters 2023 today.
· BWF STAFF
The men’s singles final will involve Indian Priyanshu Rajawat and Magnus Johannesen, two 21-year-olds new to the Tour, having played no more than 13 tournaments between them.
Rajawat, imperious in his 21-12 21-9 win over Irishman Nhat Nguyen is nine events old while Magnussen only made his debut this season at the Thailand Masters. The Dane had a tougher time against Lei Lan Xi before prevailing 10-21 21-15 21-19.
Chinese men’s pair Chen Bo Yang/Liu Yi, 22 and 19 respectively, are also through to a title match in only their second World Tour tournament. The world No.81s saw off seasoned campaigners ranked 58 places above them – Lee Jhe-huei/Yang Po-hsuan – in clinical fashion, closing out the match 21-15 21-15 in 33 minutes.