File pix of France’s Alex Lanier. — FAIHAN GHANI/The Star
PETALING JAYA: Alex Lanier signals his intent of winning the All-England after lifting his home title at the Orleans Masters in France on Sunday (March 10).
Lanier defeated second seed Lin Chun-yi of Taiwan 21-13, 21-18 in the men's singles final at the Palais des Sports on Sunday to warm up nicely for the All-England starting on Tuesday (March 11) in Birmingham.
It was his first World Tour win at home.
Said Lanier in a press interview with the Badminton World Federation after the win: "It has been really nice to play here. The atmosphere was great. Everybody was screaming for me so that was very nice. Honestly, It gave me a bit of energy and the focus that I needed."
"I won the Nantes International Challenge at home also, but this was higher. The atmosphere was huge, so that gave me a lot of things, a lot of emotions to win here. It’s amazing to share this moment with the fans.
"I’m going to the All-England pretty confident. I need to recover and be a bit more fresh. But the body is fresh and it’s about being ready mentally to fight again. I will enjoy the moment in the All-England."
Lanier will play Rasmus Gemke of Denmark in the first round and is in the same exciting quarter with second seed Anders Antonsen of Denmark, former world champion Kunlavut Vitidsarn of Thailand, and China's Lu Guangzu and Weng Hongyang.
FINAL RESULTS
Men's singles: Alex Lanier (Fra) bt Lin Chun-yi (Tpe) 21-13, 21-18.
Men's doubles: Kang Min-hyuk-Ki Dong-ju (Kor) bt Liang Weikeng-Wang Chang (Chn) 21-13, 18-21, 21-18.
Women's singles: An Se-young (Kor) bt Chen Yufei (Chn) 21-14, 21-15.
Women's doubles: Kim Hye-jeong-Kong Hee-yong (Kor) bt Baek Ha-na-Lee So-hee (Kor) 21-18, 23-21.
Mixed doubles: Jesper Toft-Amalie Magelund (Den) bt Rehan Naufal-Gloria Emanuelle (Ina) 21-17, 21-13.
