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.

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.

Another first-time finalist joining the quartet is 22-year-old Malaysian Toh Ee Wei, who combined with Chen Tang Jie to beat mixed doubles fourth seeds Rehan Naufal Kusharjanto/Lisa Ayu Kusumawati 21-10 21-16. They face Ye Hong Wei/Lee Chia Hsin, 21-18 17-21 21-12 winners over Kusharjanto/Kusumawati’s Indonesian compatriots Adnan Maulana/Nita Violina Marwah.

An overjoyed Toh at the end of her match.

The women’s singles final will be the only one featuring seeded players – Carolina Marin (first) and Beiwen Zhang (sixth). Both won their semis in straight games; Marin beating Line Højmark Kjaersfeldt 21-11 21-13 and Beiwen besting Yvonne Li 21-12 21-19.

Marin leads the head-to-head 6-2 and has not lost to her American opponent for 10 years. Their most recent meeting came just four weeks ago in the All England round of 16. Marin won 21-13 21-18.

→  Results (Semifinals)

→  Order of play (Finals)

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