French badminton player Christo Popov advanced to the semi-finals of the Internationaux de France on Friday by defeating Japan’s Kodai Naraoka 21-15, 21-16 at the Arena Grand Paris in Tremblay-en-France. The straight-games victory leaves the 24-year-old just two wins away from capturing the world number one ranking.
Victory Over Naraoka at the Arena Grand Paris
Popov controlled the opening match against the world championship silver medalist from the outset, establishing an early 5-2 lead. Although Naraoka pulled level at 7-7 and stayed within striking distance through a tense sequence at 13-13, the French player utilized strong defensive positioning to force errors. Popov rattled off seven consecutive points to reach 20-14 before securing the first set 21-15.
The second set followed a similar pattern. Popov gained a 6-2 advantage, and while Naraoka narrowed the gap to 11-9, the French competitor maintained his tactical discipline. Leading 13-13 once again, Popov surged ahead with a 5-1 run to build an 18-14 cushion and closed out the match on his first match point at 21-16. The win marked Popov’s sixth consecutive victory over Naraoka.
Chasing the World Number One Ranking
Currently ranked number three globally, Popov stands two victories away from becoming the first French player in history to hold the top spot in world badminton. To secure the ranking and the tournament title at the Internationaux de France, he must win his remaining two matches on home soil.
Semi-Final Matchup Against Hu Zhe An
Popov enters the semi-finals as the clear favorite against China’s Hu Zhe An. The 20-year-old Chinese competitor, ranked 32nd in the world, advanced to this stage. The match is scheduled to take place at the Arena Grand Paris, where Popov aims to maintain his momentum toward the tournament title.
