BWF WORLD TOUR FINALS 2025 – Two matches, two victories for Christo Popov and the pair Thom Gicquel and Delphine Delrue, who can dream of the last four.
Mixed fortunes for the badminton Blues yesterday, during the kick-off of the world finals. Thom Gicquel et Delphine Delrue had narrowly failed, and absolutely had to win to stay in the race. Christo Popovhe had started with a resounding victory, and could get closer to qualification with another success.
Amazing Christo Popov
The opponent of Christo Popov was once again a leader: Kunlavut Vitidsarnreigning Olympic vice-champion, and 2023 world champion. One of the best currently, but incredibly, the Frenchman led 3-1 in direct confrontations, having won the last one at the French Open.
A bizarre match which ultimately only lasted one round, the second. The only one during which the Thai offered a real level. The only one he won too, displaying the level that made him one of the best players today. The rest of the time, Christo Popov was incredible. Four-star ground coverage, mastery of cushioning, he made his rival run away and above all had the answer to everything. A majestic performance.
Popov impresses! The Frenchman wins his 2nd match at the World Tour Finals, against world number 2 Vitidsarn #lequipeBADMINTON pic.twitter.com/Y92Tjba4Np
— L’Équipe (@lequipe) December 18, 2025
And a victory 21-11, 18-21, 21-10the second in two matches. Christo Popov is on track to reach the last four, and it will even already be official if his victim yesterday, Anders Antonsensir Jonathan Christie this afternoon. All for his first participation in the world finals!
Thom Gicquel and Delphine Delrue remain alive
Pour Thom Gicquel et Delphine Delrueit was already a life and death match. Because like them, their opponents of the day, the pair Dechapol Puavaranukroh – Supissara Paewsampran had fallen yesterday, and the loser of this match would undoubtedly say goodbye to qualification. However, this Thai duo represented a good memory for the Blues, who won against this pair their greatest title in the final of the Indonesia Open last June.
Badminton: Thom Gicquel and Delphine Delrue win a historic title at the Indonesia Open!
INDONESIA OPEN 2025 BADMINTON – After an impressively strong final, Thom Gicquel and Delphine Delrue triumphed and won the greatest title in the history of French badminton.
Read the article
dicodusport.fr
This time, the match was difficult. Dominated in the first round, the Blues ended up imposing their movement game and taking control of the match. Delphine Delrue’s net cuts were formidable, but the Thais had not said their last word. While the deal seemed done and the French pair had separated, Dechapol Puavaranukroh et Supissara Paewsampran launched their last stand, erasing a five-point deficit, but the Blues were the strongest. Thom Gicqueloverpowered in attack, created a final gap that was never going to be filled.
Victory for the Delrue-Gicquel pair in 3 sets against the Thai favorites!
You will have to win the 3rd and final meeting of the group to qualify for the semi-finals of the Finals #TeamBADMINTON pic.twitter.com/grHwC2NIkB
— L’Équipe (@lequipe) December 18, 2025
Victoire 14-21, 21-14, 21-18 pour Thom Gicquel et Delphine Delrue. Nothing is done yet, and we will have to beat Hiroki Midorikawa and Natsu Saito whatever happens to have a chance of seeing the last four. But the Blues have proven that they are at the level of the event, and can always dream of continuing the adventure.
