France etched its name in badminton folklore by reaching the Thomas Cup semifinals for the first time, demolishing Japan 3-0 in the quarterfinals at Denmark’s Forum Horsens on May 2. The milestone victory guarantees a medal and pits the European underdogs against powerhouse India in the last four.
The French singles trio delivered flawless performances. Christo Popov battled back against Japan’s Kodai Naraoka, who is known for his endurance play. ‘Playing Kodai means a long match; he makes you sweat,’ Christo noted, crediting his preparation for the win.
Alex Lanier sealed the second point against Yushi Tanaka, paving the way for Toma Junior Popov’s clincher over Koki Watanabe. ‘I’m thrilled but drained. This is our first medal in team championships—we’re ready to fight,’ Toma Junior declared, highlighting the impact on French badminton.
India mirrored the clean sweep, beating Chinese Taipei 3-0 thanks to Lakshya Sen, Ayush Shetty, and the dynamic duo of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy-Chirag Shetty. Denmark edged Thailand 3-1, with Anders Antonsen overcoming Kunlavut Vitidsarn in three games, supported by doubles wins, though Thailand’s Panitchapong Thiengthong briefly rallied.
With China also through, the semifinals promise high-stakes drama between established powerhouses and ambitious newcomers, marking a new era for the Thomas Cup.
