A final and the Olympics. By beating the world number one, Viktor Axelsen, in three sets (21-19, 17-21, 21-9) on Saturday in the semi-finals of the European Championships in Saarbrücken (Germany), Toma Junior Popov overtook his younger brother, Christo, in the “Race to Paris” ranking and won his ticket to Paris 2024 in addition to his place in the final.
The stakes were high but it did not seem to disturb the Frenchman (n°25), very calm and in control at the start of this part, which nevertheless gave him a cold sweat. While he was leading 17-11 in the first set and nothing seemed to be able to alter his game plan, Toma Junior Popov was caught by the Dane (18-17) before finally winning 21-19 after an end of the round under very high tension.
A historic success
Having been in decline for several weeks, Axelsen fought to take the second set (17-21) and push the Frenchman, very out of breath, to play a third. The two men did not give up, going blow for blow at the start of this decisive round before Popov completely took the upper hand and went on to easily win 21-9.
This first success for the eldest of the Popov brothers against the Dane in four confrontations opens the doors to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games (July 27-August 5), where he will represent France in men’s singles. Before that, he will try to win a European title on Sunday, against another Dane, Anders Antonsen.
“It’s satisfying, a step forward in my progression and my career. I had nothing to lose, I played my match, I was not the favorite. The planets were aligned this evening (Saturday). I’m relieved to be in the final, it’s been three times that I stopped in the semi-finals, it’s my first minimum silver medal at the Senior European Championships. I’m very happy. Christo? It’s a family victory. Without him I would not be here, I owe him a lot,” he confided after the meeting.
2024-04-13 20:23:46
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