Scottish stars set for French Open test
20th October 2026 by Robert McLean
Play is already underway on the outskirts of Paris this morning as the Yonex French Open gets underway, with a strong contingent of Scottish players ready to test themselves against some of the world’s best at one of Europe’s most prestigious badminton events.
The HSBC BWF World Tour Super 750 tournament promises a week of high-quality action, with several intriguing challenges ahead for the Scots as they look to make their mark on the international stage.
The first match featuring Scottish interest has already concluded, with Ciara Torrance and Julie MacPherson unable to avenge last week’s defeat to Hong Kong’s Yeung and Yeung. In an instant rematch from the Denmark Open, the Hong Kong pairing once again came out on top, securing a 21-15, 21-9 victory.
Attention now turns to Kirsty Gilmour, who faces a mouth-watering women’s singles encounter later this morning against good friend and reigning Arctic Open champion, Denmark’s Mia Blichfeldt.
With Gilmour leading the head-to-head record 3-1, the Scot will have reason to approach the contest with confidence, although Blichfeldt’s recent title-winning form sets the stage for a fascinating battle. It promises to be one of the standout women’s singles matches of the day, with both players looking to make an early statement in Paris.
There will be further Scottish interest tomorrow when MacPherson returns to court, this time alongside Alex Dunn in the mixed doubles. The Scottish pairing face a stern opening test against China’s sixth seeds, Guo and Chen, in what will be a challenging assignment against top-level opposition.
The team will also benefit from the support of Olympic bronze medallist Marcus Ellis throughout the week, providing valuable experience and guidance as the players take on a demanding field.
With tough draws, familiar rivalries and opportunities to produce memorable performances, the French Open offers another important stage for Scotland’s leading players to showcase their talent against the very best in world badminton.
Fans can follow the action live via the BWF TV YouTube channel as the Scottish contingent continues its campaign in Paris.
Good luck to all our Scottish players competing this week!