Japan Open: Popov, Lanier in Semis
French badminton continued to stay in the limelight, with Christo Popov and Alex Lanier progressing to the semifinals of the DAIHATSU Japan Open 2025.
· DEV SUKUMAR
While defending champion Lanier was authoritative in his quarterfinal victory over Chi Yu Jen, Popov outlasted home hope Kodai Naraoka in a marathon battle.
The seventh seed lost the plot from midway in the second game, with Popov emerging victorious at 18-21 21-13 21-8.
“I would say there were few long rallies that were very important, especially in the beginning of the second and third games, and I managed to win almost all of them, and that made a big difference mentally. I was tough for him to overcome. I played great today,” said Popov.