It was obviously a big trap for Christo Popov, launched into the race for Olympic qualification against his brother Toma Junior. And the French number 1 fell in, offering his brother a golden opportunity to get the French team’s only ticket to Paris 2024. If the eldest Popov reaches the final of the European Championships in Saarbrücken (Germany), he will win his place for the Games, in singles.
This Wednesday, April 10, the world number 20 fell when entering the fray. And his tormentor is none other than his compatriot Alex Lanier, three years younger (19 years compared to 22) than him and another rising star of French and world badminton.
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Le Divais, 48th player in the world, was in front throughout the first round, which he logically managed to pocket. Then he resisted the pride of the youngest of the Popov brothers in the second set, also using his power to make him suffer, and finally closed the affair in two sets (21-17, 21-19).
The Calvadosian will also have an affordable round of 16 as he will challenge the German Fabian Roth (n°86) on Thursday April 11.
2024-04-10 14:24:01
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