China Vs France Live Score, Thomas Cup 2026 Final: Lanier Leads Shi Feng In Match 2 | CHN 1-0 FRA

It's a cracking start from Lanier, who races away to a lead and does not let go of it to wrap up the first game 21-13 in his favour. Heavens knows how badly France needed that to restore their confidence in his demanding tie. Shi Feng is certain to strive for a fight back; it's up to Alex how he deals with that.

Right, then. Time for Li Shi Feng and Alex Lanier to flex their big-match muscles. China undoubtedly have the upper hand after winning the opener and the 10th-ranked Lanier is virtually in a must-win scenario against the world number 7 Chinese. The Frenchman leads 6-5 in the first game.

The world number one shines through! Shi Yu Qi elevates his play in the crunch moments of the deciding third game to win the opening rubber 21-16, 16-21, 21-17 and hand China a crucial 1-0 lead against France. Christo Popov is distraught, but he can be satisfied for the way he fought and pushed the numero uno player.

Popov finishes the job in the second game nicely, taking it 21-16, the same scoreline with which Shi Yu Qi had claimed the first game. The decider is off to a tantalizing start with the score at 8-8 currently. This match is set to go down to the wire.

Popov is fighting back strongly in the second game, taking a 17-14 lead. Remember that he must win this game to keep the match alive. Christo has been key to France's fairytale run so far and he can scarcely afford to lose, if they are to mount a challenge against the mighty Chinese.

Shi Yu Qi wraps up the first game with ease. After garnering five game points, he converts the second one to pocket the game 21-16. Popov must fight back in the second game to stay in the match.

As expected, it's a closely contested affair from the get go. Shi Yu Qi wipes out the early deficit to go into the mid-game interval with an 11-10 advantage against Christo Popov.

The tie is underway. Christo Popov and Shi Yu Qi arrive on Court 1 and after the customary pre-match knocking, begin the first game. Popov wins the first three points amid a packed arena, with vociferous support for both teams.

South Korea vanquished China 3-1 in a gripping final to clinch the Uber Cup title. An Se Young gave Korea the ideal start with a dominant 21-10, 21-13 win over Wang Zhi Yi, before China hit back through Liu Sheng Shu and Tan Ning, who beat Jeong Na Eun and Lee So Hee 21-15, 21-12 to level the tie. Kim Ga Eun then swung momentum South Korea’s way again with a 21-19, 21-15 victory over Chen Yu Fei, before Baek Ha Na and Kim Hye Jeong wrapped it up in style, defeating Jia Yi Fan and Zhang Shu Xian 16-21, 21-10, 21-13. With this win, South Korea secured their third title (2010, 2022, 2026).

The tie gets underway with a tantalizing men's singles match between world number one Shi Yu Qi and the fourth-ranked Christo Popov. It will be followed by another singles encounter: Li Shi Feng vs Alex Lanier. Weng Hong Yang then takes on Toma Junior Popov, and if the tie is not decided by then, the doubles matches will follow.

The tie begins around 9:30pm IST. The China vs France, Thomas Cup 2026 final will be live streamed on the JioHotstar app and website and telecast on the Star Sports Network Tv channels in India.

Good evening, badminton lovers! We are building up to the start of a fascinating Thomas Cup final between China and Japan. Watch this space for pre-match and live updates.