If there was anything that could top the gripping contest between Toma Junior Popov and Anthony Sinisuka Ginting, it was what unfolded immediately after.
For 92 minutes the two men produced a match that overshadowed every other over the first two days of the TotalEnergies BWF World Championships 2025. What added to the drama was the context – Popov had beaten Ginting a year ago at the Olympics at this venue in what was the upset of the early rounds; but this time the Frenchman was favourite, for Ginting was making his way back from an injury layoff.
On his first match point Ginting sprung up to deliver a smash, but he slipped as he landed, and he fell in pain. That was a pivotal moment, helping Popov stay alive in the contest, and although the Indonesian continued, he was struggling. Once the Frenchman converted his own third match point, he walked over to Ginting, who was slumped over.
Popov commiserated with his fallen opponent, and only after helping Ginting to his feet did he acknowledge the crowd. It was a fitting conclusion to a great match – one that showed sport’s best face even in the heat of intense battle.

“I just told him I hope you are going to be better soon and be back on court,” said Popov. “He’s definitely a legend. I told him the other day, you are really the best, so I just hope you are going to be back and we are going to play some more. I asked him if he’s okay, to help him, to get him up from the court, because he’s a very good person. So we just like felt fair play.
“Each player had his moments. I played maybe better in the first and he played better in the second. It was ups and downs for both of us, and it was just a close match because he was leading and I came back. At the end, because he was injured, it was maybe easier to win the match, especially the two last points, I won.
“It’s amazing to win. I go to the second round. I had a tough draw in the first round. I managed to win it, especially at home, and winning again here against Anthony, one year after the Olympics. So it’s perfect for me.”
WHAT OTHERS SAID