Finalist of the Super 300 in Madrid with a 22-20 loss in the third set against Loh Kean Yew, semi-finalist at least of the European Championship in Saarbrück (Germany): Toma Junior Popov finished the continental tour like a cannonball. A final of energy, desire, mentality, even if the place for the Olympic Games in doubles with his brother had vanished the day before for a single victory and a handful of points in the world ranking for the benefit of the Labar-Corvée pair.
This Friday again, he was able to respond to his third continental senior podium after his semi-final, last July, at the European Games and a first appearance in the last four of this competition in 2022.
A victory is what could once again change everything in the Olympic race between two brothers who are closer than ever since Tomi Popov’s easy success yesterday afternoon against Azeri Ade Resky Dwicahyo. Two boys, two brothers who will have delivered a magnificent “race to Paris”.
Solo rider of Toma Junior Popov in the quarter-final
This Friday, in a Saarlandhalle that he likes, the eldest brother walked into the meeting leaving no chance to his rival. He was stronger in all areas of the game as confirmed by the score at the change of ends in the first set (11-1, 21-10). He continued to march on his rival, finally winning in 36 minutes (21-10, 21-13).
Facing Gemke… or Axelsen
To be the French representative at the Games, he will have to win this Saturday and as at the European Games (Axelsen, defeat 21-18, 21-17), as in the half in 2022 (Antonsen), he will find a Dane on his way . Without doubt the big favorite of the competition, the Olympic champion and world No.1 Viktor Axelsen who will challenge his compatriot Rasmus Gemke late this Friday afternoon. “I do not even think about it. I will do as usual, approaching the matches match by match. There is no pressure to be had. I’ll do my best“, confie Toma Junior Popov.
Whether it is the reigning Olympic champion or Gemke, Tomi Popov will have to pull out all the stops to invite himself to a stage of the competition reached by no Frenchman (his brother Christo last year and Brice Leverdez in 2019 did it at the Games Europeans). Tomi has already made history with his four world tour successes since his debut. He will have to be “disrespectful” to invite himself to his first final among the big boys. He will be the last Frenchman competing in the men’s singles with the eliminations of Alex Lanier and Arnaud Merkle in the quarter-finals.
2024-04-12 14:51:44
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