Kiran George Stuns World No.13 Popov to Reach Hylo Open Quarterfinals

Summary – India’s Kiran George shocked world No.13 Toma Junior Popov at the Hylo Open Super 500, advancing to the men’s singles quarterfinals in a thrilling match.,

Article –

India’s Kiran George caused a major upset at the Hylo Open Super 500 badminton tournament by defeating world No.13 and eighth seed Toma Junior Popov of France to reach the men’s singles quarterfinals. The match took place on Thursday and proved to be a grueling 69-minute contest highlighting Kiran George’s rising prowess on the international stage.

What Happened?

Kiran George, ranked world No.38 and son of former national badminton champion George Thomas, faced a tough challenge against Popov. After dropping the first game 18-21, Kiran found his rhythm and clawed back to claim the next two games 21-18, 21-19. Both players displayed a high level of skill and endurance, but George’s ability to maintain composure in critical moments ultimately secured his victory.

Key Numbers

• The match lasted 69 minutes.
• Kiran George won the three-set games with scores of 18-21, 21-18, 21-19.
• The victory is a significant progression in Kiran’s career and important in the USD 475,000 Hylo Open Super 500 tournament, part of the Badminton World Federation (BWF) World Tour.

Locker-Room Reactions

After his win, Kiran George said in a press conference, “It was a tough match against a very experienced opponent. I focused on staying patient and taking every point as it came. This victory gives me a lot of confidence going forward.”

Popov acknowledged Kiran’s performance, stating, “Kiran played with great determination. It was a close match, but he deserved the win today.”

What Comes Next?

With this victory, Kiran George advances to the men’s singles quarterfinals of the Hylo Open Super 500 tournament. The next round will present another tough challenge against higher-ranked opponents, giving Kiran an opportunity to further cement his reputation on the global badminton stage.

The tournament continues through the weekend, with players competing for valuable ranking points and a share of the $475,000 prize fund. This upset victory also shakes up the tournament standings and adds excitement to the remaining matches, with fans closely watching up-and-coming talents like Kiran George.

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Bhavya

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