A French medal is guaranteed in the French men’s singles draw at the European Badminton Games. Toma Junior Popov and Christo Popov both qualified on Friday by winning their quarter-finals in Krakow, Poland.
The dream can even lead even further for the two brothers, who will not face each other in the semi-finals and can therefore hope to find themselves in a final in the form of an apotheosis.
They are not there yet because there is still a huge job to do for this and his name is first and foremost Viktor Axelsen, the world number 1 from Denmark, who stands in the way of Toma Junior Popov.
The latter won without discussion this Friday against Belgian Julien Carraggi (world No. 71) (21-16, 21-15). Meanwhile, Christo had to draw on his reserves by playing a three-set match, but the opposition was tougher on the other side of the net, with the Dutchman Mark Caljouw (n°52). The fight will have given a match in the form of a roller coaster crowned by an unbreathable decisive round (21-6, 9-21, 25-23).
Christo Popov will play his place in the final against the Israeli Misha Zilberman (n°48). The Frenchman won their two confrontations, while Toma Junior never beat Axelsen.
In the other tables, Delphine Delrue and Thom Gicquel have also qualified for the mixed doubles semi-finals where they will face the English Ellis and Smith. In men’s doubles, the Popov brothers must play their quarter on Friday evening, like Margot Lambert and Anne Tran in women’s doubles.
2023-06-30 15:08:17
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