ORLÉANS — France’s Alex Lanier and Toma Junior Popov delivered strong performances on home soil, while former world champion Nozomi Okuhara and several Chinese players also progressed to the semi-finals of the 2026 Orléans Masters.
The quarter-finals produced several exciting matches across all five disciplines, setting up an intriguing semi-final lineup in this BWF World Tour Super 300 badminton tournament.
Men’s Singles: Lanier and Popov Shine on Home Soil
French badminton fans had plenty to cheer about as both Alex Lanier and Toma Junior Popov advanced to the semi-finals.
Popov defeated China’s Dong Tian Yao in straight games, winning 22-20, 21-13 in a controlled performance that showcased his attacking play and experience in crucial points.
Another French star, Alex Lanier, also progressed comfortably after beating Su Li Yang 21-14, 21-15 to book his place in the semi-finals.
Meanwhile, China’s rising player Hu Zhe An produced one of the biggest results of the round by defeating top seed Chou Tien Chen in three games, 12-21, 21-18, 21-16.
Japan’s Yudai Okimoto completed the semi-final lineup after defeating Denmark’s Magnus Johannesen 21-12, 21-15.
Men’s Singles Quarter-Final Results:
- Hu Zhe An def. Chou Tien Chen 12-21, 21-18, 21-16
- Toma Junior Popov def. Dong Tian Yao 22-20, 21-13
- Yudai Okimoto def. Magnus Johannesen 21-12, 21-15
- Alex Lanier def. Su Li Yang 21-14, 21-15
Semi-Finals:
- Hu Zhe An vs Toma Junior Popov
- Yudai Okimoto vs Alex Lanier
Women’s Singles: Nozomi Okuhara Moves Closer to Title
Former world champion Nozomi Okuhara continued her strong run by defeating Vietnam’s Nguyen Thuy Linh 21-18, 21-8 in the quarter-finals.
Okuhara will now face India’s Tanvi Sharma, who advanced after beating Japan’s Natsuki Nidaira 21-14, 21-14.
In the other half of the draw, Thailand’s Pitchamon Opatniputh defeated Japan’s Riko Gunji 21-19, 12-21, 21-16.
India’s Isharani Baruah advanced after Malvika Bansod retired during their match.
Women’s Singles Quarter-Final Results:
- Pitchamon Opatniputh def. Riko Gunji 21-19, 12-21, 21-16
- Isharani Baruah def. Malvika Bansod (retired)
- Nozomi Okuhara def. Nguyen Thuy Linh 21-18, 21-8
- Tanvi Sharma def. Natsuki Nidaira 21-14, 21-14
Semi-Finals:
- Pitchamon Opatniputh vs Isharani Baruah
- Nozomi Okuhara vs Tanvi Sharma
Men’s Doubles Quarter-Finals Results
- Leo Rolly Carnando / Bagas Maulana def. Hariharan Amsakarunan / M.R. Arjun 21-12, 22-20
- Hu Ke Yuan / Lin Xiang Yi def. Kakeru Kumagai / Hiroki Nishi 12-21, 21-19, 21-9
- Hiroki Okamura / Kyohei Yamashita def. Lai Po Yu / Tsai Fu Cheng 17-21, 21-19, 21-13
- Christian Faust Kjaer / Rasmus Kjaer def. Raymond Indra / Nikolaus Joaquin 21-18, 12-21, 21-14
Semi-Finals:
- Leo Rolly Carnando / Bagas Maulana vs Hu Ke Yuan / Lin Xiang Yi
- Hiroki Okamura / Kyohei Yamashita vs Christian Faust Kjaer / Rasmus Kjaer
Women’s Doubles Quarter-Finals Results
- Rachel Rose / Febi Setianingrum def. Hsu Ya Ching / Sung Yu Hsuan 21-14, 21-15
- Sumire Nakade / Miyu Takahashi def. Lauren Lam / Allison Lee 21-12, 21-14
- Rui Hirokami / Sayaka Hobara def. Bao Li Jing / Luo Xu Min 16-21, 26-24, 21-17
- Lin Chih Chun / Yang Chu Yun def. Margot Lambert / Camille Pognante 22-24, 21-14, 21-13
Mixed Doubles Quarter-Finals Results
- Thom Gicquel / Delphine Delrue def. Cheng Xing / Zhang Chi 21-9, 23-21, 21-17
- Liu Kuang Heng / Jheng Yu Chieh def. Yuta Watanabe / Maya Taguchi 21-12, 21-15
- Ruben Garcia / Lucia Rodriguez def. Zhu Yi Jun / Li Qian 21-23, 23-21, 21-19
- Mathias Christiansen / Alexandra Boje def. Amri Syahnawi / Nita Marwah 21-19, 21-16
Semi-Finals Set in Orléans
The 2026 Orléans Masters semi-finals will feature a strong mix of European, Chinese, Japanese and Indonesian players, with Alex Lanier and Toma Junior Popov carrying French hopes, while Nozomi Okuhara looks to add another title to her career.
With Chinese players also making deep runs in multiple events, the semi-finals promise high-level badminton across all disciplines.
Stay tuned for more badminton news and tournament updates from the world of badminton.
