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India Settle for Bronze as France Storm Into Thomas Cup 2026 Final

France defeated India 3-0 in the Thomas Cup 2026 semifinals in Horsens, Denmark. India's campaign was hampered by an elbow injury to top singles player Lakshya Sen. Christo Popov, Alex Lanier, and Toma Junior Popov won their matches for France. India settled for a bronze medal, their first podium finish since winning the title in 2022.

Key Points: Thomas Cup 2026: India Settle for Bronze After France Win 3-0

  • Lakshya Sen ruled out with elbow injury before semifinal
  • Christo Popov beats Ayush Shetty 21-11, 21-9
  • Alex Lanier defeats Kidambi Srikanth 21-16, 21-18
  • Toma Junior Popov seals 3-0 win over HS Prannoy
2 min read

India settle for bronze as France storm into Thomas Cup 2026 final with 3-0 win

India’s Thomas Cup 2026 campaign ends in bronze after a 3-0 semifinal loss to France. Lakshya Sen's injury hurt India as Christo Popov led the French charge.

"The tie was heavily impacted before it even began, as India's top-ranked singles player, Lakshya Sen, was ruled out due to an elbow injury - ESPN"

Horsens, May 3

France defeated India 3-0 to reach the finals of the Thomas Cup 2026, in Horsens, Denmark, on Saturday, according to ESPN. For India, the dream of reclaiming the title they won in 2022 ended in the semifinals, leaving them with a bronze medal for the 2026 edition.

The tie was heavily impacted before it even began, as India's top-ranked singles player, Lakshya Sen, was ruled out due to an elbow injury sustained during his quarterfinal victory against Chinese Taipei. Without their spearhead, India struggled to match the intensity of an inspired French side.

In the opening singles, Ayush Shetty found himself overwhelmed by world No. 4 Christo Popov. The Frenchman showcased relentless pace and precision, never allowing Shetty to find a rhythm. Popov wrapped up a dominant 21-11, 21-9 victory to give France a 1-0 lead.

Veteran Kidambi Srikanth stepped onto the court for the second singles against world No. 10 Alex Lanier, but despite a more competitive showing, he also went down in straight games. Lanier held his nerve in key moments to win 21-16, 21-18, leaving India on the verge of elimination.

With India trailing 0-2 and facing a "do-or-die" situation, HS Prannoy took on Toma Junior Popov. The first game was a tightly contested affair, with Prannoy leading 19-18 before a late surge from Popov saw the Frenchman take the opener 21-19.

In the second game, the momentum swung entirely in favour of France. Prannoy could not withstand Popov's aggression. Popov raced to a 21-16 win in the second set, sparking celebrations from the French camp as they secured a 3-0 win.

Earlier, India outplayed higher-ranked Chinese Taipei 3-0 in the quarterfinals to storm into the semifinals.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

A
Aman W
Proud of the team for reaching semis! Kidambi Srikanth showed good fight against Lanier, just a few points away. And HS Prannoy almost got that first game. Chalo, we'll come back stronger in the next edition. 🇮🇳🏸
R
Riya H
Honestly, we need to focus on building more depth in men's singles. Lakshya is world-class, but after him, the gap is too big. Ayush Shetty is young, yes, but losing 21-11, 21-9 shows we need more talent coming through the ranks. Management needs to invest in grassroots.
J
Jennifer L
Tough loss for India. The French have really stepped up in badminton lately. Christo Popov is a beast. Still, bronze is nothing to be ashamed of—only three teams get a medal. Hope Lakshya recovers soon! 💪
M
Manish T
One criticism: we rely too much on individual brilliance. When Lakshya is out, the whole team struggles. Compare that to China or Indonesia—they have multiple match-winners. Time for BAI to rethink our training and selection policies. Good effort nevertheless. 🏸

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