Anders Antonsen fended off six match points, but the Danish World No. 3 ended up losing in three sets to Christo Popov in the first match of the opening group stage of the BWF World Tour Season Finals.
Antonsen lost after just over an hour of play with 13-21, 21-12, 19-21 to Popov in group A. In the third set, Popov was ahead 20-13, but Antonsen was close to making a big comeback.
Only on the seventh matchpoint did Popov manage to seal the win. In 2020, Antonsen won the BWF World Tour Season Finals and also managed to reach the final last year.
With Wednesday's defeat, it will be somewhat more difficult for Antonsen to advance to the semi-finals as one of the two best from the group.
In the first set, Antonsen was initially ahead by a few points several times, but as he couldn't extend the gap, Popov found his rhythm and when the Frenchman took a 16-12 lead, Antonsen seemed to surrender for the remainder of the set.
Antonsen came out with more determination in the second set, and even though Popov was ahead with 5-3, the Dane managed to turn it around with solid play.
In the third and decisive set, Popov was again at his best from the start and took a 6-1 lead. The Frenchman had the advantage of the wind conditions to begin with, so it was all about minimizing the damage for Antonsen before the side change.
Antonsen managed to reduce the deficit to 8-9 but from there on Popov edged ahead 15-9 and later 20-13. With his back against the wall, Antonsen almost found a way back and fended off six match points.
When Antonsen reduced the deficit to 18-20, Popov seemed to twist his foot badly but was able to come back and secure the win.
Antonsen is the only Dane in the tournament. Not since 2018 has Denmark been represented by only one player in the season finale.