Christo Popov qualified for the final of the badminton World Tour Finals, a first for a Frenchman in this tournament equivalent to the Masters in tennis, by winning against the Japanese Kodai Naraoka (21-19, 21-8), this Saturday in Hangzhou, China. “Good match, a good semi-final. I’m happy to have started it with a first set won, which was very important, which was very complicated (21-19). A lot of things happened there,” Popov explained at the end of the match.
“Lots of positive things”
After a tight first set against the ninth player in the world, Popov (8th) won in the second, obtaining a place in the final for his first participation in this prestigious tournament. “I played the second set with a little more confidence and a better attack. My opponent was starting to get a little tired. I was able to make the difference there too, I think,” continued the Frenchman.
Before this victory in the semi-finals, the youngest of the Popov brothers (23 years old) came first in his group by scoring three victories in three matches against Anders Antonsen, Kunlavut Vitidsarn and Jonathan Christie. “Very happy to finish in two sets, the first match ed the competition in two sets. Now, we have a little rest time to prepare for tomorrow’s final (Sunday). Lots of positive things in any case.”
On Sunday for the title, he will face either the Thai Kunlavut Vitidsarn, world No.2 whom he already beat in three sets on Thursday, or the Chinese world champion and current No.1 Shi Yuqi.
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