Just like his brother Christo a few hours earlier, Toma Junior Popov almost signed the performance of the day at Adidas Arena.
The 26 -year -old was eliminated by the world number 2 Anders Antonsenin the round of 16 2025 World Championshipsafter an epic fight of 1h19.
Despite a fantastic ascent, and after saving three game flywheels, he had to throw arms at the end of a third irrespirable set (6-21, 22-20, 21-19).
However, the start of the meeting presage a completely different scenario.
“I experienced ups and downs. It was very difficult at the start of the match, I had trouble starting, adapting to the conditions that were different yesterday with much more wind and a difficulty in controlling the steering wheel. It disturbed me until the start of the second set, ”he explains to the microphone of Olympics.com.
Result of the races: a 6-21 setback in the first set. But not enough to destroy the tricolor, who knew how to pull himself together and reverse the trend in the second set.
“I relaxed, I had nothing to lose. I started getting into the ruffles, taking more risks and caused it a little more. It worked, I knew how to come back, and I saved a game steering wheel to win 22-20, “he says.
“In the third set we went blow for blow, I lead 11-10, after that is played in a few details. I would have liked to be able to achieve some crossed defenses against his smashs but I did not succeed today. I think it would have been different if I had succeeded. »»
