Denmark Open: Koga/Saito Trip World Champs
Thom Gicquel and Delphine Delrue’s post-World Championships dip continued at VICTOR Denmark Open 2026 with a second consecutive early exit.
· PREM KUMAR & DIANNE PIERRE
Akira Koga/Natsu Saito proved their conquerors in Odense, winning their first meeting 22-20 21-19. The world No.18s remarkably saved six game points in the opener before finishing strongly again in the second, never relinquishing the lead after moving ahead at 16-15.
The Japanese now advance to the quarterfinals – their second at Super 750 level – against Malaysians Hoo Pang Ron/Lai Peijing, who ousted fifth seeds Dechapol Puavaranukroh/Supissara Paewsampran 21-7 21-11.
For Gicquel and Delrue, who in August became France’s first world champions, a chance for redemption comes quickly with their home tournament YONEX French Open 2026 starting in Tremblay-en-France next Tuesday. They had lost their first event (China Masters) after New Delhi 2026 in the opening round.