World Championships: Antonsen 2-1 Popov As Dane Reaches Quarters

Antonsen races to deciding set win over Popov to reach World quarters  

Anders Antonsen beats Toma Junior Popov to reach World Championships quarter-finals.

Antonsen joins Gemke in Quarter-finals After Win Over Popov At Worlds...

Anders Antonsen was in strong form on Thursday afternoon as he wore down France’s Toma Junior Popov in three sets, 21-17, 17-21, 21-14.

It proved a hard-fought contest, but Antonsen battled through to beat Popov in the World Badminton Championships Round of 16 and reach the quarter-finals.

The Aarhus native flew out to a 6-0 lead and left the Frenchman shell-shocked. Antonsen was fully in control, and a Popov comeback looked impossible.

Popov looked deflated, with no sign he believed he could turn it around.

After a tough, lengthy battle, the decider was a different story. Antonsen eased through on his third match point to book his place in the quarter-finals.

The player from Aarhus surged to a 6-0 lead and left Popov deflated. Antonsen had full control, and it was hard to see any way back for the Frenchman.

Popov looked downbeat and showed no belief that he could turn the match around.

After a long, physical battle, the third set was completely different. Antonsen closed it out comfortably on his third match point to advance.

The player from Aarhus booked his quarter-final place in 1 hour 18 minutes, winning 21-17, 17-21, 21-14 in New Delhi, India.

Denmark now have two men in the last eight. Earlier on Thursday, Rasmus Gemke pulled off a big upset by beating third seed Jonatan Christie.

There are three Danes through overall. Line Christophersen also advanced on Thursday, beating Indonesia’s Putri Kusuma Wardani 21-18, 21-17 in the Round of 16.

Antonsen made a fast start against Popov. The Dane looked sharp but his consistency dipped at times.

That allowed Popov a chance to get back into the contest, but Antonsen steadied himself and saw off the fightback. The second set went to the Frenchman though, as Antonsen’s level dropped well below his opening-set standard in most rallies.

BWF World Championships 2026
MS - R16
21 17 21 🇩🇰Anders ANTONSEN🏅
17 21 14 🇫🇷Toma Junior POPOV

🕚 in 78 minutes

— BWFScore (@BWFScore) August 20, 2026

From 9-9, Popov seized the momentum and forced a decider. There was little doubt in the third set. Antonsen grabbed control early and played with much more attacking intent.

The Aarhus native flew out to a 6-0 lead and left the Frenchman shell-shocked. Antonsen was fully in control, and a Popov comeback looked impossible.

Popov looked deflated, with no sign he believed he could turn it around.

After a tough, lengthy battle, the decider was a different story. Antonsen eased through on his third match point to book his place in the quarter-finals.