Alexander Dunn/Julie Macpherson pulled off a notable first round upset at YONEX French Open 2025, defeating Lee Jong Min/Chae Yu Jung 14-21 21-12 21-16.

The result was a significant scalp for the Scots. Chae is a 2023 world champion who previously played with Seo Seung Jae, though she and Lee have only been together since March’s Orleans Masters and entered unseeded. Chae later in the day announced her shock retirement.

Dunn credited intel from compatriots Adam Pringle/Rachel Andrew, who had faced the Koreans at the World Championships in August, for their result.

“We got our tactics from how they played them,” he said. “We started off well, then lost our way in the first game and then second and third we executed it very well.”

The pair, now over a year into their partnership, are targeting a quarterfinal appearance at a Super 750 event. Dunn previously competed in men’s doubles with Adam Hall but focused solely on mixed after missing Paris 2024 Olympics.

Dunn/Macpherson play Goh Soon Huat/Lai Shevon Jemie next. This will be their second encounter, with the Malaysians winning at the All England in March.

Teammate Kirsty Gilmour also advanced with a 21-17 21-18 victory over Line Højmark Kjaersfeldt.

Home Heroines Power Through

Margot Lambert/Camille Pognante recovered from a difficult opening game to beat Malaysia’s Ong Xin Yee/Carmen Ting 16-21 21-14 21-17 in front of a delighted home crowd at the Glaz Arena.

The French pair were blown away in the first game, struggling with the slow court conditions on one side.

“When we were lifting, it wasn’t going far enough and we had difficulties defending,” Pognante said. The change of ends transformed the match. “It was easier and we could up the pace.”

The decider proved a physical battle, with the same court issues resurfacing before Lambert/Pognante ended on the faster side.

Lambert reflected on the effort required: “It was tough physically but it was the last point so we gave it all. I’m happy to win in front of the home crowd.”

→ Results (Day 2)

→ Order of play (Day 3)

WHAT OTHERS SAID

“She scored a lot of points with body shots. I wasn’t fast enough to return those shots. My corner shots were working but she just knew the right shots to play.” – Ratchanok Intanon crediting Natsuki Nidaira’s winning tactic

“We’ve played a few matches. I don’t know if it’s the start of a rivalry, it may be too early but there will be more matches with her.” – Tomoka Miyazaki after levelling her head-to-head record with Putri Kusuma Wardani to 3-3

“I always play with a smile, that’s just how I am. If I had a poker face, players might not be so intimidated but this way, they can’t see what I’m feeling. And smiling is good, it’s a relieving feeling.” – Koki Watanabe on his on-court nature after defeating Ayush Shetty 21-19 21-19

“I had a nice conversation with her in the assembly area before we played. She congratulated my team on making history at the World Junior Championships in India (the mixed team won a bronze medal). She’s world No.1 and I can learn a lot from her, her game and her mentality.” – Anmol Kharb on playing Olympic champion An Se Young