China Open: Popov Outplays Leong in Thriller
Toma Junior Popov won a cracker of a match against Leong Jun Hao to make the second round of the VICTOR China Open 2024.
· BWF STAFF
The Frenchman, who took time off after his home Olympics before returning at last week’s LI-NING Hong Kong Open 2024, survived the 95-minute battle, saving five match points in the second game before edging his rival 23-25 26-24 21-19.
“It was a great battle. It was a mental battle, physical battle, technical battle, especially at the net,” said Popov.
Popov was all praise for his opponent, complimenting Leong on his “unplayable” net shots.