Indonesian men’s doubles pair Leo Carnando and Bagas Maulana, ranked 17th in the world, secured their spot in the quarter-finals of the Orleans Masters 2026. They defeated France’s Baptiste Labarthe and Quentin Ronget (world No. 136) in the round of 16 match held at the Palais des Sports in France on Thursday, March 19. The dynamic Indonesian duo emerged victorious with a final score of 21-17, 21-16, establishing a 1-0 head-to-head record against their French counterparts.
Despite the significant ranking disparity, Leo/Bagas found it challenging to assert complete dominance over their spirited opponents. The French pair, playing on home soil, demonstrated remarkable resilience, managing to apply pressure and launch several counter-attacks throughout the first game. The scores remained incredibly tight, featuring intense exchanges that saw the game level at 3-3, 6-6, and 9-9 before Leo/Bagas edged ahead to lead 11-9 at the interval.
Following the interval, Leo/Bagas initially appeared to dictate the pace of play, pulling away from a 13-13 tie to establish a comfortable 19-13 lead. However, the tenacious French duo refused to yield, closing the gap to 19-15 and then 20-15, creating moments of palpable tension before the Indonesian pair ultimately secured the first game 21-17.
The second game unfolded with a similar intensity, as the French pair continued to push Leo/Bagas, forcing them into a demanding, tight contest. Early in the game, the scores reflected this fierce competition, reaching 4-4 and 6-5 before the Indonesian partnership managed to build a crucial lead, entering the interval with a score of 11-6.
Leo Carnando and Bagas Maulana recognized the need for heightened discipline, as any lapses in concentration were quickly capitalized upon by the French pair, who skillfully threatened to shift the momentum. After the interval, the French duo once again narrowed the deficit, with scores moving from 14-10 to 14-12, then 15-12, and even leveling at a precarious 15-15. Demonstrating composure under pressure, Leo/Bagas then regained control, accelerating to 20-15 before sealing their victory in the second game 21-16, and thus progressing further in the prestigious badminton tournament.
Summary
Indonesian men’s doubles pair Leo Carnando and Bagas Maulana (world No. 17) secured their spot in the quarter-finals of the Orleans Masters 2026. They defeated French duo Baptiste Labarthe and Quentin Ronget (world No. 136) in the round of 16 match held on Thursday, March 19, with a final score of 21-17, 21-16. This victory established their first head-to-head win against the French pair.
Despite the ranking disparity, Leo/Bagas faced a challenging contest as their French opponents showed remarkable resilience and managed to apply pressure throughout both games. The scores remained tight, demanding heightened discipline from the Indonesian pair. Leo/Bagas ultimately demonstrated composure under pressure to secure their win and advance in the badminton tournament.