As the final second-round matches conclude at this year’s Japan Open, it is now clear that France is the only European nation still in the tournament.

The day started with disappointment for the French mixed doubles pair Thom Gicquel and Delphine Delrue, who were defeated by home favourites Yuichi Shimogami and Sayaka Hobara. After a dominant opening game from the Japanese pair, the French duo seemed to find their rhythm in the second and held a small lead for most of the game. But they could not hold off a late surge, and the Japanese pair claimed the match and a spot in the quarterfinals.

Still, there was much to celebrate for France as men’s singles stars Alex Lanier and Christo Popov both booked their places in the quarterfinals. Lanier, last year’s Japan Open champion, faced Indonesian rising star Alwi Farhan. Although Farhan had beaten Lanier in their only previous meeting at the 2023 World Junior Mixed Team Championships, the Frenchman came into this match ranked number eight in the world, while Farhan sits at number 28.

Farhan started strongly and matched Lanier point for point before reeling off seven unanswered points to take the first game 21-14. He carried the momentum into the second game, building an early lead, but Lanier responded with calm control and took the second game 21-15. In the decider, Lanier looked in full control and led 17-8, before Farhan closed the gap to 17-15. Lanier held firm, however, and secured the match with a 21-18 win.

Lanier will go into the quarterfinals as the favourite once again, where he faces world number 33 Chi Yu Jen from Chinese Taipei. Chi advanced by defeating home star Kento Nishimoto in straight games.

Meanwhile, Christo Popov continues to impress and currently sits at a career-high number 16 in the world rankings. In the quarterfinals, he faces one of the biggest challenges of the tournament in Kodai Naraoka. The Japanese star has so far looked dominant, recording straight-game wins over both Anthony Ginting and Lakshya Sen.

For the Danish contingent, the tournament has come to an early end. Kim Astrup and Anders Skaarup Rasmussen suffered a disappointing loss to the Malaysian pair Nur Mohd and Tan Wee Kiong. The Danes have struggled for consistency throughout 2025, and with the World Championships in Paris only a month away, questions remain about their form.

The final European pair in action was Rasmus Kjær and Frederik Søgaard, who were up against the newly formed Indonesian duo Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Fikri. Although the Danes managed to force a deciding game, they were never truly able to challenge the Indonesians, who claimed victory 21-11 19-21 21-14.

With only Lanier and Popov left in the draw, French hopes, and European hopes, rest firmly on their shoulders as the Japan Open enters its final stages.