German Open : Christo POPOV crowned for the first time
Christo POPOV took his revenge
Few weeks ago, Rasmus GEMKE took the better of Christo POPOV during the 2024 European Men's & Women's Team Championships. But today in Germany, the scenario was quite different. Accurate on his attacks, the French player starts the game as he could have dreamed of: 15/7. But the Danish slowly reduces the gap up to 19/17 bringing up some suspense on court. Focused on his tactics, POPOV manages to win 2 points in a row to take the first set 21/17. Relieved of the previous set burden, Christo POPOV plays amazing badminton during the first half on the set.
As everyone thought it was over (19/16), Rasmus GEMKE threw his last forces into the battle to win five straight points and make the French rising star doubt (19/16). It was not enough to destabilize Christo POPOV who decided that today would be his first title on the BWF Tour. Two consecutive points brought him the crown in Germany and some crucial points for the Olympic qualification race as a bonus (21/17 21/16). He is now ahead of his brother Toma Junior. French fans certainly hope that this victory will put Christo POPOV on a great dynamic for the Yonex French Open in Paris.
Solid performance for Mia BLICHFELDT, tough battles in the double draws.
In the women simple draw, Mia BLICHFELDT easily defeated NGUYEN Thuy Linh (n°23, Vietnam) in 35 minutes (21/11 21/9). It was harder for LEE Jhe-Huei and YANG Po-Hsuan (n°16, Chinese Taipei) in the men simple draw as they had to fight for an hour to win the title against Chinese new pair, HE Ji Ting/REN Xiang Yu (n°14): 15/21 23/21/23/21.
After their victorious battle against Anne TRAN and Margot LAMBERT in the semis, Bulgarian sisters Stefani and Gabriela STOEVA (n°26, Bulgaria) could not make it in the final in the women double draw. The Chinese pair LI Yi Jing / LUO Xu Min (n°22, China) got the better of them in three sets: 21/7 13/21 21/18. Finally, the mixed double draw offered a great opposition between world numbers 7 KIM Won Ho/JEONG Na Eun (South Korea) and TANG Chun Man/TSE Ying Suet from Hong Kong (n°8). Following a strong 2023 season, TANG and TSE won their first 2024 title in two sets: 21/13 21/19.
All the German Open winners will feature this week in Paris for the Yonex French Open. A great way to keep on going?