Frenchman Christo Popov blazed into the men’s singles final of the BWF World Junior Championships 2019 with another scintillating performance.
Christo Popov was in scintillating form in his semifinal.
The left-hander, whose quarterfinal win yesterday had already made him the first World Junior medallist from France, once again turned in a relentless attacking performance to leave China’s Li Yun Ze clueless during a 53-minute demolition job, 21-18 21-13.
In the final, he will be up against two-time champion Kunlavut Vitidsarn, who will aim to become the first men’s singles player to win three titles. The Thai cantered past Indonesian Yonathan Ramlie in 32 minutes, 21-11 21-10.
“When I first entered the court, I thought about wanting to play a certain pattern, but it didn’t suit me. So from the start I was playing the wrong pattern,” said Ramlie.
“I have never played him before. If I meet him again I must try the right pattern and play the shuttle in positions that are difficult for him.”
The women’s singles final will see Japan’s Riko Gunji against China’s Zhou Meng. Gunji was too quick and too solid for top seed Phittayaporn Chaiwan, who was too inconsistent to challenge the seventh seed and went down 21-16 21-19.
Talking Point
“It’s good to make the final. It’s going to be all-in tomorrow. Today I know the Chinese player was solid, so had to make rallies and make opportunities for my smash. I had to keep the speed of the match. Kunlavut is a very good player, I lost to him in the team event and I hope I will do better.” – Christo Popov.
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