Hong Kong Open 2025: Ginting Loses Against Popov

Men's singles Anthony Sinisuka Ginting in the first round of the Hong Kong Open 2025 (doc. PBSI).

JAKARTA Anthony Sinisuka Ginting was immediately eliminated in the first round of the Hong Kong Open 2025 after losing to Christo Popov from France.

Ginting failed to keep his hopes at this Super 500 BWF level tournament through a rubber game that ended with a score of 21-19, 17-21, and 19-21 at Hong Kong Coliseum on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, noon WIB.

"Actually, I had the lead, especially in the third game, but when the opponent changed my strategy, I couldn't handle it, was not ready, and it was not right, so I threw away a lot of points and was overtaken," said Ginting.

This result made Popov manage to equalize the 2-2 win-loss record against Ginting. One of his previous victories occurred in their first clash in the first round of the Indonesia Open in 2021.

Ginting's two wins over Popov took place in the first round of the Denmark Open 2023 and the All England semifinals the following year.

"Christo Popov is not an easy enemy. From the previous meeting it was always tight. There must be an idea we already know each other's strengths and weaknesses," said Ginting.

Ginting's defeat made the Indonesian men's singles just have to hope for Alwi Farhan. Before Ginting, Mohammad Zaki Ubaidillah had already felt defeat in the qualifying round.

Ginting will next play in the Super 750 BWF China Masters on 16-21 September 2025 and Super 500 BWF Korea Open which will take place on 23-25 September 2025.

"This is a lesson for me to continue to evaluate (the game) and learn for the future, especially from the changing patterns of play and strategies," said Ginting.

Before Ginting's defeat, mixed doubles Adnan Maulana/Indah Cahya Sari Jamil managed to add round tickets for Indonesia after beating Presley Smith/Jennie Gai from the United States.

Adnan/Indah followed in the footsteps of Sabar Karyaman Gutama/Mohammad Reza Pahlevi, Apriyani Rahayu/Siti Fadia Silva Ramadhanti, Lanny Tria Mayasari/Amallia Cahaya Pratiwi, and Febriana Dwi Puji Kusuma/Meilysa Trias Puspitasari.