angers

Siao Him Fa, a former world bronze medallist, is bidding to qualify for the Grand Prix Final in Japan next month after finishing second in the season-opening Grand Prix de France in Angers.

“Seems simple, but that’s not always the case. He can be direct, and that sometimes angers a player, but it’s always well thought out and usually right.”

Boulter's recent injury, and the fact she would need to win at least three matches in Angers to improve her ranking, means she may well end up not playing.

Former British number one Boulter tore an abductor in her final event of the year in Hong Kong last month, and is now weighing up whether to compete in the WTA 125 Challenger event in Angers, France, in the first week of December.

Shein plans to open outlets in other French department stores in cities including Dijon, Reims and Angers.