At 23, the three-time French champion produced an immense performance by winning in the final against the world number 1, the Chinese Shi Yu Qi (21-19, 21-9).
Christo Popov until the end of his dream. For his first participation in the BWF World Tour Finals, the 23-year-old Frenchman won the title by beating the world number 1 in the final, Shi Yu Qi, after an impressive performance (21-19, 21-9). Twice already this year, the Frenchman had come close to knocking down the Chinese but each time, the latter had managed to win in three tight sets, whether in the 8th round of the World Championships in Paris at the end of August (22-20, 13-21, 18-21) or in the quarter-finals of the Danish Open two months later (19-21, 21-19, 19-21). But this Sunday, he gave the reigning world champion no chance.
For his first final at such a level of competition, the Frenchman, who entered the court to “The Hymn to Love” by Edith Piaf, did not seem overcome by stress or pressure when starting the match. By winning the first three points, he immediately moved in the direction of march, even if his opponent was quick to react to move in front (3-4). Nevertheless, Popov kept his mind clear and his racket alert in defense to force the Chinese into multiple rallies, which allowed him to take the lead (11-9, then 16-14). Without however managing to overwhelm Shi Yu Qi, who nevertheless quickly showed some signs of weariness on a physical level by giving the impression of dragging his leg a little.
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Magic shots from both sides
Sensing the potential good move, Popov then accelerated to win three points in a row – including the last magnificent one – to come away 19-16. And he did not break down when concluding this first act (21-19). The start of the second round proved to be just as balanced, with the Frenchman delighting the home crowd with a magical shot, with his back to the net, to crush Shi Yu Qi on the spot (5-4). The Chinese who was reduced, as in the first set, to racing behind the score (9-7) against a player from Fos-sur-Mer who multiplied the sleight of hand. Less powerful than the world number 1, Popov managed to involve him in exchanges where his touch worked wonders. The spectacle was then complete between two players responding blow for blow, with improbable blows from both sides. Like this defense between the Chinese’s legs.
But that was not enough in the face of the demonstration of the Frenchman who flew irremediably towards victory against a rival who completely gave up on the last points (21-9). And towards a 6e world place which should crown its magnificent second half of the year when the next ranking is published on Tuesday. Knowing that he has very few points to defend until May, everything now seems possible for Christo Popov.
