French badminton continues to shine on the international scene thanks to Christo Popov. Thursday, during the round of 16 of the Kumamoto Masters (Super 500) in Japan, the young tricolor signed a memorable feat by eliminating the Taiwanese Chou Tien Chen, world number 8, after a breathtaking match full of twists and turns (10-21, 21-14, 21-18).
Kumamoto Masters Japan 2024
MS – R16
10 21 21 🇫🇷Christo Popov🥇21 14 18 CHOU Tien Chen
🕚 in 62 minutes
— BWFScore (@BWFScore) November 14, 2024
A Majestic Performance
Christo Popov, currently ranked 25th in the world, seems to be returning to his best level. Two weeks after triumphing at the Hylo Open (Super 300), the three-time French champion impressed again by scoring a victory against a player from the top 10 in the world. However, everything did not start well for the Frenchman, clearly dominated in the first set, losing 10-21.
But Popov showed exceptional mental strength to turn the tide. In the second set, he raised his level of play and regained his consistency to equalize (21-14). The decisive round was a real theater of suspense. Trailing 18-12, the young prodigy scored nine consecutive points to win, overthrowing an opponent he had never beaten before.
A High Level Duel to Come
Thanks to this sensational victory, Christo Popov qualifies for the quarter-finals, where he will face a formidable opponent: the Dane Viktor Axelsen. Double Olympic champion and one of the best players in the history of badminton, Axelsen has always had the upper hand over Popov, although the latter has often managed to push him aside during their previous confrontations. This new duel promises to be a colossal challenge, but the confidence accumulated by the Frenchman could make all the difference.
If Christo shines, his older brother, Toma Junior Popov, has not had the same success. Ranked 18th in the world, Toma Junior lost in the round of 16 against the Japanese Kodai Naraoka, world number 4. Despite fierce resistance in the first set (24-22), the Frenchman was unable to keep up the pace in the second set, lost 21-9. This elimination puts an end to his journey in the tournament, but he will be able to learn lessons from this match against a very high level opponent.
A Strong Signal for French Badminton
Christo Popov’s performance confirms its rise to power and underlines the potential of French badminton on the international scene. At just 21 years old, Popov is showing that he can compete with the world’s elite and that he is ready to take the next step in his career. His match against Axelsen will be a new opportunity to show the extent of his talent.
As for Toma Junior, his career remains honorable, and his duel against Naraoka will allow him to continue to progress. Together, the Popov brothers embody a promising future for French badminton.
The Axelsen Challenge: See you in the Quarter-Finals
With this qualification for the quarter-finals, Christo Popov will have a golden chance to bring down a living badminton legend. The meeting against Viktor Axelsen promises to be thrilling, and French fans are hoping for another surprise from their young champion.
