The YONEX French Open 2025 men’s singles final will be an all-European clash: Christo Popov versus Anders Antonsen. One representing the home crowd, the other as one of Europe’s most consistent top performers, and both ready to fight for the title.
Christo Popov, the last French player standing in Rennes, played what might have been the best match of his life to this day. The home favourite gave an unforgettable performance against the world number two Kunlavut Vitidsarn, winning 21-11 22-20. The second game had everyone on the edge of their seat, with Popov going from 11-18 down to turning it around and closing the match in two games.
“It was just about the atmosphere,” said Popov. “The crowd really cheered me up. You're at home and you just give everything. And if I have to die on court, I'll die.”
It wasn’t only about emotions. Popov explains how tactically he played the first game aggressively, starting off strong to lead against Vitidsarn from early on. But when it looked like the match was going to a decider, it was the energy from the French crowd that pushed him to deliver. “They remind us at every point that they're here behind us and we have to give everything,” he added.
The French player will face Anders Antonsen in the final, who succeeded in a one-and-a-half-hour clash against Li Shi Feng. After losing the first game, Antonsen turned it around, winning 15-21, 21-19, 21-13.
“It’s the long, physical way to get through the matches,” said Antonsen. “And I'm super, super, super proud of the way I did it today.”
He explained how changing the approach helped him take the lead in the match. “A tiny bit more patience, a tiny bit more stubbornness in the long rallies. I needed to wake up a little and get everything going.”
This will be Antonsen’s first-ever final at the French Open, so it’s a special moment for him. “It’s always fun to do well in those tournaments where you haven’t really been doing so well. I think the furthest I had reached before was a quarterfinal. So it’s amazing to be in the final now.”
And for the first time in two decades, the men’s singles final in Rennes will be all-European. Just like Popov, Antonsen is looking forward to be part of history. “It’s amazing. Christo has been playing a phenomenal tournament, straight games all the way through. He’s really growing rapidly.”
The head-to-head between Christo Popov and Anders Antonsen is at one win each. One thing is for sure, Glaz Arena will be loud for that final and both players are more than ready.
You can see tomorrow’s order of play here.
