India Falls to France in Thomas Cup Semi-Final, Ends Tournament Run India’s men’s badminton team suffered a decisive 0-3 defeat to France in the Thomas Cup semi-final on May 3, 2026, ending their campaign in Horsens. The loss marked the end of India’s hopes of repeating their 2022 success, as France secured their place in the final by becoming the second European nation, following Denmark, to reach the tournament’s climax. The French team, led by the Popov brothers, showcased resilience and tactical precision to overcome India’s top players, including HS Prannoy, Ayush Shetty, and Kidambi Srikanth. The semi-final match saw France dominate all three singles matches, with their players capitalizing on India’s struggles. In the first singles encounter, Ayush Shetty faced Christo Popov and fell 21-11, 21-9. Shetty, who had shown promise earlier in the tournament, struggled to maintain his composure, failing to capitalize on early opportunities. The second singles match saw Kidambi Srikanth face Alex Lanier, resulting in a 21-16, 21-18 loss for the Indian star. Srikanth, despite a valiant effort, could not overcome Lanier’s aggressive net play and consistent smashes, which kept the French player in control throughout. The decisive match was the third singles, where HS Prannoy, India’s most experienced player, faced Toma Popov. Prannoy, who had previously led the match at 11-10, eventually succumbed to Popov’s relentless pressure, losing 21-19, 21-16. The French player’s ability to adapt to Prannoy’s aggressive style and his own composure under pressure proved critical. Prannoy’s costly errors in the final game, including missed net shots and defensive lapses, allowed Popov to seize control and seal the victory.#india #france #thomas_cup #popov_brothers #hs_prannoy
