Thomas Cup semis: France stun India 0-3, clinch maiden final berth
Synopsis
France pulled off one of badminton's biggest upsets, shutting out defending champion India 0-3 in the Thomas Cup semifinal. With star player Lakshya Sen sidelined by injury and forced to rebuild their lineup at the last moment, India could not mount a challenge. France's maiden final berth marks a seismic shift in men's team badminton.
Key Takeaways
France defeated India 0-3 in the Thomas Cup semifinal on 3 May in Horsens, Denmark .
Ayush Shetty lost to Christo Popov 11-21, 9-21 ; Kidambi Srikanth fell to Alex Lanier 16-21, 18-21 ; HS Prannoy lost to Toma Junior Popov 19-21, 16-21 .
Lakshya Sen withdrew due to an elbow injury sustained in the quarterfinals.
France reached their maiden Thomas Cup final; India settle for bronze.
India won the Thomas Cup in 2022 and have reached the last four only twice in history.
Horsens, Denmark — Former champions India suffered a shock 0-3 defeat to France in the Thomas Cup semifinal on 3 May at Forum Horsens, ending their bid for a second title and settling for bronze. The loss marked a stunning turnaround for France, who reached their maiden Thomas Cup final, while India's campaign was derailed by the absence of injured star Lakshya Sen.
How the match unfolded
Ayush Shetty, stepping in as first singles in place of the injured Lakshya Sen, fell to World No. 4 Christo Popov in just 39 minutes, losing 11-21, 9-21 to hand France a 1-0 lead. Kidambi Srikanth then struggled against World No. 10 Alex Lanier, dropping his match 16-21, 18-21 in 41 minutes. In the decisive third singles, HS Prannoy battled World No. 17 Toma Junior Popov but fell short, losing 19-21, 16-21, sealing France's historic victory.
The Lakshya Sen injury blow
India faced a critical setback before the semifinal when Lakshya Sen, an Olympic Games semifinalist, withdrew due to an elbow injury sustained during an intense quarterfinal match involving multiple dives. Badminton Association of India (BAI) Honorary General Secretary Sanjay Mishra said the withdrawal was precautionary to allow recovery, but the absence forced India to reshuffle their lineup at a crucial stage.
France's historic run
France's path to the final has been remarkable. They eliminated 14-time champions Indonesia in the group stage and defeated Japan 3-0 in the quarterfinals before dismantling India. This is France's first entry into a Thomas Cup final, marking a watershed moment for badminton in the nation.
India's medal and legacy
India won the Thomas Cup in 2022, their only title, and have now reached the last four for only the second time in tournament history. The bronze medal ensures they leave Denmark with hardware, but the semifinal loss will sting given their status as defending champions and the circumstances of Lakshya's absence.
What's next
France will face the winner of the other semifinal in the final. India's focus will now shift to recovery and regrouping ahead of upcoming international badminton commitments.
Point of View
Unlike singles, has no margin for injury. France's maiden final is historic for them, but for India, it underscores a hard truth: depth in men's singles does not automatically translate to team resilience. The 2022 title now looks like an outlier rather than the start of a dynasty.
NationPress
10 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did India lose to France 0-3 in the Thomas Cup semifinal?
India suffered a clean sweep in all three singles matches, with Ayush Shetty, Kidambi Srikanth, and HS Prannoy each losing their respective encounters. The loss was compounded by the absence of star player Lakshya Sen, who withdrew due to an elbow injury, forcing India to reshuffle their lineup at the last moment.
What happened to Lakshya Sen?
Lakshya Sen sustained an elbow injury during an intense quarterfinal match involving multiple dives. The Badminton Association of India withdrew him as a precautionary measure to allow recovery, as per a statement by BAI Honorary General Secretary Sanjay Mishra.
Who did France beat to reach the semifinal?
France eliminated 14-time champions Indonesia in the group stage and defeated Japan 3-0 in the quarterfinals before facing India in the semifinal.
What medal does India take home from the Thomas Cup?
India secured the bronze medal after losing the semifinal. They won the Thomas Cup in 2022 and have now reached the last four for only the second time in tournament history.
Is this France's first Thomas Cup final appearance?
Yes, this is France's maiden entry into a Thomas Cup final, marking a historic achievement for badminton in the nation.
