Paris: The 2024 French Open, a badminton tournament serving as a test event for the upcoming Paris Olympics, kicked off on March 5th in Paris, France, amidst an atmosphere of excitement and anticipation. The tournament, categorized as a BWF Super 750 event, witnessed several thrilling matches and promising performances on the opening day.
Highlights of Aaron Chia/Soh Wooi Yik vs. Mark Lamsfuss/Marvin Seidel in 2024 French Open first round:
The Men’s doubles category saw promising performances from Malaysian pairs. Aaron Chia/Soh Wooi Yik emerged victorious against Mark Lamsfuss/Marvin Seidel of Germany when the German pair retired in the first set when the score tied at 12-12. Chia/Soh will play Lee Fang-Chih/Lee Fang-Jen of Chinese Taipei next. Both Lees defeated another Malaysian pair in the first round – Goh Sze Fei/Nur Izzuddin 21-19, 21-17.
Man Wei Chong and Tee Kai Wun also started their campaign with a solid win, defeating the Canadian pair of Kevin Lee/Ty Alexander Lindeman 21-16, 21-8. Man/Tee will next take on no. 1 seeds Satwiksairaj Rankireddy/Chirag Shetty. Rankireddy/Shetty had to work hard to beat Malaysians Ong Yew Sin/Teo Ee Yi 21-13, 24-22 in the first round.
Singapore’s badminton star, Loh Kean Yew, started day one with an impressive run of form by defeating the home favorite, Toma Junior Popov, in the men’s singles category. The 2021 World Champion secured a convincing victory with scores of 21-14 and 23-21, showcasing his dominance and determination. This win marks Loh’s fourth encounter with Popov, and he successfully extended his unbeaten record against the young French player.
The 2024 French Open, held at the Arena Porte de la Chapelle, serves as a crucial test event for the Paris Olympics, offering valuable insights into the venue’s readiness and providing a platform for athletes to gain valuable experience under Olympic conditions. With several top players participating, the tournament promises to be a thrilling showcase of badminton talents.
As the competition progresses, badminton fans can expect to witness more captivating matches, emerging stars, and exceptional displays of athleticism as the players battle for glory in Paris.