Nothing quite stirs up a tournament day like an upset. While Paris 2024 did see a number of matches that appeared to swing towards the underdog, the actual number of upsets were relatively low as the favourites asserted themselves under pressure. Here are the pick of the upsets that did materialise:
Toma Junior Popov bt Anthony Sinisuka Ginting
Toma Junior Popov has had a string of impressive results lately; yet, the world No.22 was very much the underdog against No.9 Anthony Sinisuka Ginting. The atmosphere in the stadium was electric as the home hope took on the Indonesian in a clash that would decide the group topper and a spot in the knockout round. After a game apiece, the match headed to a climactic finish, with Popov sensationally coming on top, 21-19 17-21 21-15.
Maiken Fruergaard/Sara Thygesen bt Baek Ha Na/Lee So Hee
Baek Ha Na and Lee So Hee were among the favourites for women’s doubles gold given the excellent season they’ve enjoyed. Yet, in a match that must have brought a sense of déjà vu to Lee So Hee, the Koreans suffered a major setback on the opening day as they fell 21-18 9-21 21-14 to Maiken Fruergaard/Sara Thygesen after having beaten them in four previous encounters without dropping a game. This was almost a repeat of Tokyo 2020, when the Danes had upset Lee So Hee and Shin Seung Chan after losing four previous matches. Fruergaard/Thygesen would go further, claiming the scalps of Jongkolphan Kititharakul/Rawinda Prajongjai – only their second win in 10 matches against the world No.10 Thais – to take their place in the quarterfinals.
Kim Won Ho/Jeong Na Eun bt Seo Seung Jae/Chae Yu Jung
World champions Seo/Chae had won all five previous encounters with Kim/Jeong – dropping just one game. But with Kim and Jeong inspired by the occasion, the young challengers were able to turn the tables on the favourites in the semifinals, edging them in a close second game and surviving match point in the third: 21-16 20-22 23-21.
Kaloyana Nalbantova bt Qi Xuefei
World No.74 Nalbantova impressed An Se Young in their opening match, and the Bulgarian showed she could be among the top European prospects as she outplayed home favourite Qi Xuefei 21-18 21-18 in 48 minutes.