Christo Popov needed just two straightforward sets to dispatch Japan’s Minoru Koga 21-14, 21-14 on Wednesday at the Kumamoto Masters, marking his first competitive outing since ascending to the top of the badminton rankings, Le Figaro reported.
The 24-year-old from Fos-sur-Mer claimed the world No. 1 ranking on October 25 after winning the French Open, becoming the first French singles player to achieve the feat in the history of the sport, Le Figaro reported.
That milestone followed a breakthrough 2026 season that included a European singles title in April and a Super 750 victory at the Japan Open in July, according to reporting from France 24.
“Each time you finish one quest, there is another one behind it,” Popov told L’Équipe, as reported by Le Figaro. “In my case, the particularity is that I never really sought this place. This season, we weren’t talking about competing to be No. 1 in the world. We were talking about going after victories in reference competitions.”
Against Koga, the world No. 48, Popov traded points early in the opening game until the score reached 7-7. The French player then seized control with a five-point run to lead 12-7 before closing out the first set 21-14.
The second set followed a similar trajectory. Koga mounted resistance up to 7-6 before Popov pulled away with varied shot-making, sealing the match with another 21-14 scoreline.
The victory sets up a second-round rematch against Indonesia’s Muhammad Zaki Ubaidillah. Popov defeated Ubaidillah in the French Open final just weeks prior to secure the world ranking.
Older brother Toma Junior Popov also advanced on Wednesday at the Super 500 tournament in Japan. The 12th-ranked Frenchman defeated Taiwan’s Su Li Yang 21-15, 21-11 in straight sets.
Toma Junior Popov will face another Taiwanese opponent, world No. 40 Wang Po-Wei, in the second round. A deep run in Kumamoto would help the elder Popov toward his goal of breaking into the world Top 10 by the end of the season.
Christo Popov’s rise to the top spot comes during a banner period for French badminton, following world championship titles earlier in the season from Alex Lanier and the mixed doubles pair of Thomas Gicquel and Delphine Delrue, France 24 noted.
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