A bad day for Alex LANIER…
After being knocked out of the Denmark Open final last Saturday (by Indonesian Jonatan Christie), Alex LANIER did not enjoy the same success at the Yonex Frenc Open IFB 2025 here in Rennes. The No. 6 seed was eliminated in the first round by... another Indonesian, Alwi FARHAN (world No. 17). He trailed for most of the match. He also lacked success, as exemplified by his shuttlecock getting stuck in the net at the start of the match (2/3). A rare sight! Formidable both at the net and with his smashes, the Indonesian player overwhelmed the Frenchman (10/17). In contrast, Alex LANIER saw his shots end up outside the court or in the net. When it's not meant to be... (15/21)
Highly anticipated, as he was at the World Championships in Paris, the Frenchman initially resisted FARHAN's powerful shots (6/5 then 9/9). But he gradually gave way (9/12 then 15/17).He was never able to find the key to turning the tide. Alwi FARHAN, playing very cleanly, even earned himself four match points (16/20). He needed only one to win, as expected.
After the match, Alex LANIER admitted that the week spent in Odense had taken its toll on him: "I think I was lacking a bit of energy. I felt a little drained mentally and physically after my week in Denmark. But it's up to me to cope with weeks like that. I wasn't always very solid on my feet, but I kept up a fast pace. I often lost the rallies. That hurt me more than anything else."
LANIER also acknowledged his opponent's superiority: ‘You have to admit that he was very good. From the start, he set a fast pace. Not to mention that he made very few mistakes.’
On Thursday, in the round of 16, Alwi FARHAN will face the Irishman Nhat NGUYEN.