Toma Junior Popov beat world number one, Viktor Axelsen, in three sets (21-19, 17-21, 21-9) on Saturday April 13 in the semi-finals of the European Championships in Saarbrücken (Germany). In addition to obtaining a place in the final, he overtook his younger brother, Christo, in the “Race to Paris” ranking and won his ticket to the Olympic Games.
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???????????????????????????? ???????? ????@Thomas_Jr_Popov just beat the world No. 1, Viktor Axelsen ???? 21/19 17/21 21/9 and joins the European final for the first time??
This victory puts Tomi back in front of Christo in the Olympic race??#EuropeanChampionships pic.twitter.com/y3UgcLtKXg
— FFBaD (@FFBaD) April 13, 2024
The Frenchman (No. 25) managed to maintain his calm and control, despite a stressful first set. While leading 17-11, he saw the Dane (18-17) come back, but still won 21-19. Axelsen, who had been in decline for several weeks, then struggled to take the second set (17-21) and claim a third round against a very out of breath Popov. A decisive round where the eldest of the Popov brothers gradually gained the upper hand, before rolling out to secure a scathing 21-9.
“A family victory”
“It’s satisfying, a step forward in my progression and my career. I had nothing to lose, I played my match, I was not the favorite. The planets were aligned tonight (SATURDAY). I’m relieved to be in the final, it’s been three times that I stopped in the semi-finals, it’s my first minimum silver medal at the Senior European Championships. I’m very happy. Christo? It’s a family victory. Without him I wouldn’t be here, I owe him a lot”he confided to The Team the outcome of the meeting.
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Building on this first success against the Dane, in four confrontations, Toma Junior Popov validates his ticket for the Olympics, where he will represent France in men’s singles. On Sunday, he will first try to win a European title against another Dane, Anders Antonsen.