Indian shuttler Kiran George produced one of his finest performances of the season as he defeated World No. 13 and fourth seed Toma Junior Popov of France 18-21, 21-18, 21-19 to storm into the quarterfinals of the Hylo Open 2025 in Saarbrücken.
It was a gripping three-game battle where the Indian showcased nerves of steel, turning around what looked like a lost cause into a memorable victory. Down 6-12 in the decider, Kiran unleashed a remarkable fightback, showing his growing maturity on the BWF Tour. With patient rallies, precise placements, and well-timed aggression, he clawed back to 19-19 before sealing the match 21-19 to register his fourth win over Popov in five career meetings. The Frenchman, known for his strong defense and deceptive stroke play, started well, taking the first game 21-18. But Kiran adjusted quickly, varying his tempo and forcing Popov into errors in the second game.
Once he found his rhythm, Kiran dictated the pace of the rallies, mixing sharp smashes with clever drops to draw his opponent out of position. In the final game, Popov looked in control at 13-7, but Kiran refused to back down. Channeling his composure and belief, the Indian stitched together a series of six straight points to level the score before pushing through to complete a thrilling turnaround.
This victory marks Kiran George’s second straight quarterfinal appearance at a Super 300 event, underscoring his steady progress on the international circuit. It also highlights his impressive head-to-head dominance over Popov, now leading 4-1 in their career meetings a rare record against a top-15 opponent for an Indian men’s singles player in recent times.
Kiran’s journey to the last eight has been both impressive and demanding. In the opening round, he defeated former World No. 1 Kidambi Srikanth in straight games, 21-19, 21-11, displaying both confidence and control. That win set the tone for his campaign, and the victory over Popov has now cemented his place as one of India’s most consistent performers in men’s singles this season.
The Kerala shuttler will next face either Jonatan Christie (Indonesia) or Chi Yu Jen (Chinese Taipei) in the quarterfinals a test that will demand both tactical sharpness and endurance. With this win, Kiran also keeps India’s hopes alive in the men’s singles draw after an eventful start to the tournament.
The Hylo Open has been a happy hunting ground for Indian players this week. Earlier, Rakshita Santhosh Ramraj defeated compatriot Shriyanshi Valishetti in a hard-fought three-game women’s singles clash, winning 19-21, 21-8, 21-13 to move into the pre-quarterfinals. Her all-Indian duel mirrored the competitive spirit within India’s young badminton ranks, where emerging players continue to challenge each other on the international stage. For Kiran, though, this win is particularly significant. After a few inconsistent months on the BWF Tour, this result not only boosts his confidence but also adds valuable ranking points in the race to qualify for next season’s top-tier events.
His composure in high-pressure moments has become a defining feature of his game, and the victory over Popov one of Europe’s most prominent players serves as further proof of his growing pedigree. With India searching for depth in men’s singles beyond Lakshya Sen, Kiran’s form at the Hylo Open comes as a positive sign. His ability to fight through tense situations, recover from deficits, and adapt mid-match reflects a maturity that bodes well for his future on tour.
As the Hylo Open 2025 moves into its business end, all eyes will now be on Kiran George’s quarterfinal clash. A win there could propel him into one of the biggest semifinals of his international career. For now, though, his comeback from 6-12 down against a top-15 opponent remains the highlight of the day a performance that captures both his resilience and relentless pursuit of excellence.
Result: Kiran George (IND) def. Toma Junior Popov (FRA) 18-21, 21-18, 21-19
Next Match: Quarterfinal – vs Jonatan Christie (INA) / Chi Yu Jen (TPE)
