Two expressive players and their equally expressive coaches on the sidelines, were going at it late on Thursday with a quarterfinals place at stake.

The second round contest between Chou Tien Chen and Christo Popov, enhanced by the unique atmosphere at the Istora – a place of special significance for 2019 winner Chou – was also emblematic of how far France have come as a badminton power.

With two quarterfinal places secured – courtesy of Alex Lanier and Thom Gicquel/Delphine Delrue – France were very much in sight of a third spot, one more than European superpowers Denmark, before Chou dug in from his vast reservoir of will to deny French ambitions.

It looked set to go the other way when Popov, trailing 16-9, dramatically pulled level with his opponent playing a series of shaky points. With every point, his father Toma Popov raised his hands triumphantly, mirroring Chou’s physio Victoria Kao on the opposite bench.

Having lost seven points in a row, Chou somehow turned the tide, celebrating each point with his characteristic primal yell that further amplified the fraught atmosphere.

The 70-minute win, at 21-18 9-21 21-17, gave the world No.7 a showdown with fourth seed Li Shi Feng, who beat Malaysia’s Leong Jun Hao in straight games.

France, meanwhile, will look towards Lanier, who never allowed the difficult conditions and an attacking opponent in Loh Kean Yew to derail him. Lanier eased through 21-8 in the third game and will run into new world No.1 Kunlavut Vitidsarn for a place in the semifinals. Lanier does have a positive record against Vitidsarn, having beaten him twice this year.

“Different conditions from last week,” said Lanier. “I was doing the wrong thing in the opener, so I had to change my game. I was trying to find my own way and to adapt and feel good on court.

“It’s not easy when it’s windy. The shots are different. I had to be precise and the shots had to be secure and that’s what he tried also, he wasn’t taking any risks. I was trying too much in the first. It was extremely physical and that’s what I’m good at and that’s also my game.

“Today I’m even more proud of how I managed the match. I did well to change mentally and to stay on court mentally and try to be a bit more myself. I’m taking a lot of pleasure on court and I enjoy being there and playing tough opponents and that’s why I’m playing badminton.”

The other French presence Gicquel/Delrue will face home pair Adnan Maulana/Indah Cahya Sari Jamil.

→ Results (Round of 16)