An unthinkable scenario at the start of the competition for the Fosséen, and yet… Whatever happens this Friday in the last day of the group (against world No.4 Jonatan Christie), Christo Popov is now guaranteed to qualify for the semi-finals of the World Tour Finals. Even better, he is certain to finish first in pool A and cross paths with the 2nd in pool B (the Japanese Naraoka or the Chinese Shi Yu Qi). The logical continuation of the Fosséen fairy tale in the competition.
One thing is certain: in these “WTFs”, the hierarchy doesn’t make much sense between the eight best players of the year. No matter the opponent, it’s high level on the court, in strategy, in minds. Like the performance of the Japanese Naraoka in Pool B, everyone has a chance. The Provençal also grabbed them in Pool A.
Already victorious this Wednesday over world No.3, Anders Antonsen, he did it again 24 hours later by dominating the 2023 world champion (and No.2 at the BWF), the Thai Kunlavut Vitidsarn (21-11, 18-21, 21-10) with a perfectly negotiated final round. “It was a very different match from yesterday tactically. I am very happy to be able to play matches of this level so quickly“, appreciated the Fosséen who did not seem to feel any after-effects from his fall the day before. He can already focus on his half, scheduled for Saturday. Another good news.
