2024-03-16 15:11:14
Published on March 16, 2024 at 4:11 p.m.
The first Frenchman to play a semi-final in a tournament of such importance, Christo Popov lost to the world No. 5 this Saturday during the English Open.
Two French people playing a racket sport played their first semi-final in a tournament equivalent to a Grand Slam in tennis. And like the table tennis player Felix Lebrun at the Grand Smash in Singapore, the tennis player Christo Popov lost at the English Open. On Friday, the 22-year-old made history by becoming the first French player to reach the final four of a Super 1,000 thanks to his 21-17, 21-10 victory over the Japanese Koki Watanabe, who had beaten his brother Toma Junior in the previous round. But in the semi-final, the step was too high for the native of Sofia (Bulgaria), who arrived at the age of 2 in Fos-sur-Mer. Opposed to the world No. 5, the Indonesian Anthony Sinisuka Ginting, the No. 24 lost in three sets: 19-21, 21-5, 21-11. The first set was first led by the Frenchman (up to 7-6) then by the Indonesian (up to 17-16), then the two men went blow for blow and Popov finally pocketed the round by winning two points in a row from 19-19. But this had the gift of waking up Ginting, bronze medalist at the Tokyo Olympics and 2023 Asian champion, who made short work of the Frenchman by winning the second set 21-5. In the third, Popov held until 4-6 then 5-7, but the 4-0 inflicted by his opponent allowed him to take a big lead and never be worried again in this match. Ginting will try to win his fourth Super 1000, facing his compatriot Jonatan Christie (world no. 9) or Indian Lakshya Sen (no. 18).
Christo takes a big step towards Paris 2024
As for Christo Popov, his excellent week in Birmingham allows him to take a big step towards the Olympic Games. Only one ticket will be distributed to the French delegation to compete in the men’s singles tournament, and Christo now has a good lead over his brother and main rival. The name of the lucky winner will be known around May 1st.
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