France’s badminton contingent delivered a statement day on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, at the Yonex Internationaux de France inside the Arena Grand Paris in Tremblay-en-France, highlighted by Toma Junior Popov’s upset of world number one Kunlavut Vitidsarn. Playing in front of a home crowd, the French players secured multiple high-profile victories on the opening day of the tournament.
Toma Junior Popov Overturns World Number One Kunlavut Vitidsarn
The tournament opened with a signature upset as Toma Junior Popov faced Thailand’s Kunlavut Vitidsarn, the top-ranked men’s singles player in the world. After dropping a lopsided opening game, the French contender regrouped to take control of the rallies and secure a three-game victory, 9-21, 21-14, 21-15.
The win over one of the tournament’s primary favorites establishes momentum for Popov’s home campaign. Rising intensity and aggressive court coverage allowed the French player to gradually wear down the top seed after a difficult start.
Popov Brothers Down Fifth Seeds in Men’s Doubles
Toma Junior Popov maintained his momentum later in the session alongside his brother, Christo Popov, in the men’s doubles draw. The siblings faced India’s Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, the tournament’s fifth-seeded pair.
In a tightly contested match, the French duo prevailed in the deciding game to close out a 21-19, 18-21, 21-13 victory. The result snaps a losing streak for the brothers against the Indian champions and highlights their current form on the international circuit.
Thom Gicquel and Delphine Delrue Control Mixed Doubles Opener
In mixed doubles, newly crowned world champions Thom Gicquel and Delphine Delrue carried their form from New Delhi back to French soil. The pair defeated England’s Callum Hemming and Estelle Van Leeuwen in straight sets, 21-14, 21-12.
The French duo maintained a disciplined pace throughout the match, granting few openings to their English opponents. The straightforward victory reinforces their ambitions at the Tremblay-en-France venue.
Mixed Fortunes for the French Delegation
While the Popov brothers and Gicquel and Delrue advanced, other members of the French team faced tougher tests. Julien Maïo and Léa Palermo were eliminated after dropping their opening match in three sets.
Play at the Yonex Internationaux de France continues through the week at the Arena Grand Paris as the remaining contenders progress deeper into the tournament brackets.
