Toma Junior Popov Beats World No. 1 Kunlavut Vitidsarn at French Open

Toma Junior Popov beat world No.

1 Kunlavut Vitidsarn in the first round of the French Open on Tuesday.

The French player won 9-21, 21-14, 21-15 at the Grand Paris Arena in France.

Popov recovered after losing the opening game and won the next two to reach the next round.

Vitidsarn, from Thailand, had led 3-2 in their five previous meetings.

The defeat removes a leading contender from the men’s singles field at this BWF World Tour Super 750 tournament.

That may affect the challenge for the three Indonesian men’s singles players, including Alwi Farhan.

Indonesia’s Jonatan Christie faces compatriot Ubed in the first round, so only one of them can advance.