French badminton secured three spots in the singles quarterfinals at the Arena Grand Paris during the Yonex IFB, featuring an upcoming all-French showdown, according to reports from the Fédération Française de Badminton (FFBAD).
Christo Popov and Toma Junior Popov Advance in Singles
Christo Popov opened the day for the host nation by defeating Denmark’s Rasmus Gemke 21-18, 15-21, 21-18 in the men’s singles draw. The world number 3 needed three hard-fought games to overcome his 24th-ranked opponent. His younger brother, Toma Junior Popov, followed with a 21-10, 21-14 victory over Singapore’s Jia Heng Teh. Ranked 13th globally, Toma Junior capitalized on his opening-round win earlier in the week to secure his place in the next round.
Alex Lanier Sets Up All-French Quarterfinal Clash
Alex Lanier joined his compatriots in the final eight by defeating Thailand’s Panitchapon Teeraratsakul 22-20, 21-13. The 5th-ranked Frenchman’s victory sets up a quarterfinal match against Toma Junior Popov on Friday, guaranteeing a French player a spot in the tournament’s semifinals. Meanwhile, Christo Popov will face Japan’s Kodai Naraoka.
Mixed Results in Doubles Competition
The Popov brothers experienced an early exit in the men’s doubles tournament later in the day. Facing Indonesia’s Leo Rolly Carnando and Daniel Marthin, Christo and Toma Junior fell 9-21, 15-21. The defeat followed their opening-round win against former world number ones Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty. In mixed doubles, Thom Gicquel and Delphine Delrure defeated Chinese Taipei’s Wu Hsuan-Yi and Yang Chu Yung 21-14, 21-18 to reach the quarterfinals.
“We want to go as far as possible,” Delrue said of their tournament objectives, as reported by FFBAD. “Tomorrow is another new match, another new day. We are going to try to prepare well for the match and go get this first semifinal in France for us.”
Upcoming Quarterfinal Schedule
Quarterfinal matches featuring French competitors are scheduled to begin Friday at the Arena Grand Paris, with broadcast coverage provided by L’Équipe.
- 12:00 local time (Court 1): Toma Junior Popov vs. Alex Lanier
- 12:50 local time (Court 1): Christo Popov vs. Kodai Naraoka
- 16:30 local time (Court 1): Thom Gicquel and Delphine Delrure vs. Wu Guan Xun and Lee Chia Hsin
