Christo Popov qualified for the final of the badminton World Tour Finals, this Saturday, December 20, by dismissing the Japanese Kodai Naraoka in the semi-final (21-19, 21-8). The youngest of the Popov siblings thus becomes the first Frenchman in history to reach the final of the meeting between the badminton elite.
Ranked at 8e world rank, Christo Popov battled in the first round before annihilating his Japanese opponent in the second to win. “Winning the first set was very important. In the second set, I had a little more confidence, better attacking shots, while he was starting to get a little tired, I was able to make the differencereplayed the Frenchman to The Team. I’m very happy to have finished in two sets for the first time in the competition. That’s a little rest for tomorrow. » A demonstration in line with what he has shown since the start of the tournament in Hangzhou (China). Winner of his group with three victories in three matches, the Frenchman does not go into detail.
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In the final, he will face the Chinese Shi Yu Qi or the Thai Kunlavut Vitidsarn, respectively number 1 and number 2 in the world. During the group stage, Christo Popov had already defeated Kunlavut Vitidsarn (21-11, 18-21, 21-10).
Worth a look
