Beaten by Anders Antonsen in the final of the French Open at Cesson-Sévigné last October, the three-time French champion Christo Popov (23 years old, 8e world) had the opportunity to take revenge on the Dane, world number 3, in Hangzhou (China), for his entry into the World Tour Finals. The final tournament which brings together the eight best players in the world, including the Frenchman who is participating in singles for the first time in his career, after having tasted it in 2021 alongside his brother Toma Junior.
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This Wednesday, December 17, the 23-year-old left-hander got off to a very good start, easily winning the first set (21-13). In the next one, the Fosséen took the lead (5-3), before seeing the Dane come back together (7-7), break away, then win quite comfortably (12-21). So we had to go through 3e set that the Frenchman approached from the right end (6-1), before seeing his opponent eat away at his lead (8-6)… But the Fosséen raised his level of play again to make a five-point break (9-14), which he held until the moment of truth approached (19-13), before trembling. His tormentor from the Internationals then came back to two points (20-19), making the French camp fear an infuriating defeat. But Popov was able to pull himself together to convert his 7e match shuttlecock (21-19).
World No. 2 Thursday
Christo Popov will continue this Thursday, December 18, with the Thai, world No. 2 and vice-world champion, Kunlavut Vitidsarn. Le Fosséen faced and beat him in Cesson-Sévigné, in two sets.
