BY AMIRIL MUTTAQIEN MEKETAR
HORSENS, Denmark: France created history when they stormed into its maiden Thomas Cup semifinals, stunning 2014 champions Japan with a commanding 3-0 victory in the quarter-finals of the 2026 edition at Forum Horsens here.
First singles and world No. 4, Christo Popov, gave France a fine start, outlasting world No. 9 Kodai Naraoka 21-17, 21-17 in a 67-minute battle.
Alex Lanier, the 2025 European champion, then put France firmly in control with a confident 21-15, 21-17 victory over world No. 19, Yushi Tanaka.
With history within reach, world No. 17, Toma Junior Popov, rose to the occasion by edging world No. 20, Koki Watanabe, 21-19, 23-21, securing at least a medal in the prestigious badminton team tournament.
The win continues France’s dream run in Horsens, having already stunned 14-time champions, Indonesia, 4-1 in Group D on Tuesday.
The result marked the Indonesians’ first-ever group stage exit in the Thomas Cup.
France, dubbed as the dark horse of the tournament, will now take on 2022 champions, India, in tomorrow’s (Sunday) semifinals after they cruised past Taiwan 3-0 earlier today (May 2).
In the meantime, the hosts Denmark advanced to the last four following a 3-1 win over Thailand.
Denmark will face defending champions, China, who eliminated five-time champions Malaysia, 3-0, in the other last eight tie.
The Thomas Cup Finals 2026, which began on April 24, runs until Sunday. – BERNAMA
