ANTONSEN shatters POPOV's dreams
Christo POPOV will not be joining Alex LANIER in the record books. The only French winner of a Super 750 tournament – the 2024 Japan Open – the Fosséen had the opportunity to become the second Frenchman to triumph in one of the most prestigious tournaments on the BWF circuit.
But the pressure seemed to be a little too much for him in a Glaz Arena that was rooting for him. Nervous, the world number 8 made avoidable mistakes, hitting the shuttlecock too long or into the net. His opponent, Anders ANTONSEN, world number 3 and second seed, hardly had to try hard to pull away. The score went from 4-3 to 14-4, an insurmountable gap at this level. In a one-sided set, despite some interesting sequences from Christo, the Dane won 21-12 in just 19 minutes of play.
With long rallies having been few and far between up to that point, they finally began to emerge in the second set. After taking the lead for the first time (5-4), it was at the end of a huge rally – 69 shots, the longest of the match – that he brought ANTONSEN to his knees for the first time (9-8). The intelligent Aarhus native weathered the storm. With a successful shot off the side line (like a sign), he regained the lead, creating a small gap (10-13). But don't count on the Fosséen to give up anytime soon. Although he caught up to 16-all with a smash that brought the crowd to its feet, the tide did not turn. ANTONSEN showed that he was the boss on the day. More consistent and steady, he regained the upper hand (19-16). In a thrilling end to the match (20-19), the younger of the POPOV brothers sent one last shuttlecock into the net after a thrilling 54-minute battle.
Anders ANTONSEN succeeds SHI Yu Qi in the men's singles rankings and becomes the fourth Dane to win the Yonex French Open after victories by Peter Gade (2008), Jan Jørgensen (2013) and Victor Axelsen (2022).
“We had an adventure with the audience throughout the week.”
As for Christo POPOV, who had been on a roll for four days, including a fantastic semi-final against Thailand's Kunlavut VITIDSARN (21/11 22/20), he certainly lacked a little experience. At 23, he was playing in the first final of his career in a Super 750 tournament. A final that calls for more. "I was super motivated to win this title. It was my first final in a major tournament above Super 300 level. Especially in France. Honestly, I really wanted to take the top spot, but I think it's just a matter of time and there will be other opportunities to win a title in France. In any case, it's something I care deeply about! But it's still my first major final, and it also confirms my form at the end of the season."
Indeed, the Fosséen player has enjoyed a magnificent rise since March, climbing from 31st to 8th in the world rankings and reaching the last four seven times in major competitions this season. Before leaving Rennes, he made a point of thanking the crowd for their incredible support. "They gave me a lot in two different ways. I think that in the early rounds, up to the semi-finals, when I'm leading, it helps me to really stay in the match and impose my rhythm. And today, when I was behind, it helped me to come back, especially in the second set where the rallies were very physical. We've had a great adventure together throughout the week, it's been fantastic!"