Popov Creates History, Becomes First Frenchman to Reach World Tour Finals
HANGZHOU – Christo Popov wrote a new chapter in European badminton history on Saturday, becoming the first-ever French player to reach the final of the prestigious HSBC BWF World Tour Finals.
In a dominant semifinal display at the 2025 season finale, the World No. 8 dismantled Japan’s Kodai Naraoka with a blend of speed and tactical precision. Popov sealed the victory 21-19, 21-8, marking his first straight-games triumph of the grueling week.
Popov’s breakthrough performance underscores a seismic shift in the continental hierarchy. France has firmly established itself as one of the leading badminton nations in Europe, boasting one of the fastest-growing development programs in the world. With results like this, many observers believe France is poised to challenge, and potentially surpass, the traditional European powerhouse, Denmark, in the near future.
A Tactical Masterclass
Despite the high stakes, Popov maintained his composure against Naraoka, a player renowned for his endurance and defensive rallying capabilities.
“Waking up this morning I was feeling very tired,” Popov admitted after the match. “I was getting ready for a long match with Kodai, knowing his rally style. The first game was very important, being very long and winning that made me confident for the second game, and I got more aggressive. He made more mistakes and I got a huge gap at the beginning.”
This victory propels Popov into his third final of the year, adding to his impressive campaigns at the Yonex Swiss Open and the Yonex French Open earlier in 2025.
“Every Day is a New Thing”
For Popov, the week has been a journey of discovery. Arriving in Hangzhou after a significant period away from competition, his initial goal was simply to survive the group stage.
“Just to participate was a new thing, so every day is a new thing for me,” Popov said. “I’m very happy about playing well. I’m happy to be healthy, almost pain-free, which is good. It’s just positive now.”
The Frenchman noted that the lack of recent competition might have been a blessing in disguise, allowing him to test his level against the world’s elite with a fresh perspective.
“One thought was getting out of the group stage, which would be a huge thing for me. Now I’m into the final, so am happy,” he added. “That was a good thing for me to come this week to play against the top players during one week and also challenge ourselves to see where we are, and to prepare for the next season.”
Popov will now look to cap off his dream campaign with a title on Sunday, a win that would not only define his career but signal a new era for French badminton on the global stage.
