Alex Lanier marches to the semifinals at his first All England — The last European standing
14/03/25 21:17
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On a tough day for the European players, Alex Lanier emerged as the continent’s last hope, securing a spot in the All England semifinals in his debut appearance.
Earlier on Friday, European dreams faded as both Thom Gicquel/Delphine Delrue and Greg/Jenny Mairs bowed out of the tournament. But Lanier carried the torch, facing off against Wang Tzu Wei from Chinese Taipei — the player who had knocked out Anders Antonsen the day before.
It was a laser-focused Lanier who stepped onto the court, armed with a game plan that would carry him to victory. After the match, he was full of praise for his coach, Kęstutis Navickas:
"it's maybe the third year with him and we have a perfect connection. I think he knows me and I know him.
And on court, I'm just asking him to give me some advice, to give me some way to play. And then I go 100 percent on what he's saying to me. I'm quite thinking, I'm thinking a lot during the match, but sometimes I don't have all the answers and I think he gave me the rest of the answers I need on the court."
"They sent me to try the things we worked in the practice. And these few words just impact me quite a lot. And I did my best to follow what they were saying and it worked."
"They sent me to try the things we worked in the practice. And these few words just impact me quite a lot. And I did my best to follow what they were saying and it worked."
The strategy worked to perfection, and after 51 minutes, Lanier celebrated a well-earned victory with scores of 21-19, 21-13.
Looking ahead to tomorrow’s semifinal, the young Frenchman is full of belief and ready for the challenge:
"I try to play my best. I think the level is there, and I’m also ready to perform in this semifinal."
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