China Vs France Highlights, Thomas Cup 2026 Final: CHN Seal 12th Title Win With 3-1 Victory In Summit Clash

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Lanier is kicking on! He earns seven straight points to go into the Game 2 interval with a five-point advantage, up 11-6 after winning the first game 21-13. Pressure squarely on Shi Feng now to forge a way back.

What an exemplary performance this has been from Alex Lanier. The 21-year-old gives Shi Feng not even a whiff of a fightback, decimating him 21-10 in the second game to emphatically level the tie 1-1 for France. This final is certainly living up to its hype; we will now have Weng Hong Yang taking on Toma Junior Popov in the third and final singles rubber of the night.

After a sluggish start, Toma Junior Popov racks up four straight points to take a 12-11 lead in the first game against Weng Hong Yang. The Chinese responds with a flurry of smashes to break down Popov's dogged defence and make it 12-12. The Frenchman returns the favour superbly to go up 13-12. Riveting stuff!

Weng Hong Yang takes ascendance in the business end of Game 1, and despite Toma Junior Popov's spirited efforts to claw his way back, the 15th-ranked Chinese edges through 22-20. That was a draining game for both players, and expect more intensity in Game 2.

Popov is staging a solid comeback in the second game. Winning seven of the last eight points, the Frenchman has taken an 18-13 lead and is poised to force a deciding third game.

He is pushed late, but Toma Junior Popov gets the job done in the second game eventually to take it 22-20. His coach animatedly voices instructions to the 27-year-old, as we head to a deciding Game 3.

Weng Hong Yang has shrugged off his lacklustre display in the second game to take a 15-12 lead in game 3. The Chinese is looking determined to make the lead count, while Toma Junior continues to persevere. Another match that's destined to last the distance.

After 96 minutes of draining badminton, Weng Hong Yang emerges triumphant, subduing Toma Junior Popov 21-19 in the decider to win the third rubber and hand China a 2-1 lead against France. The 11-time champions are one win away from a 12th title, whereas the maiden finalists are in a do-or-die situation.

Now for some doubles action!

The Chinese scratch pairing of He Ji Ting and Ren Xiang Yu is currently locking horns with France's Eloi Adam and Leo Rossi. The first game is level at 9-9 and there are early signs of another neck-and-neck affair.

Easy does it for He Ji Ting and Ren Xiang Yu in the first game. Some deft touches near the net and smart misdirection fox Eloi Adam and Leo Rossi, who lose the game 13-21. China now are one game away from winning the tie, successfully defending the title and earning their 12th trophy!

Ji Ting and Xiang Yu are inching closer and closer to victory. Adam and Rossi are down 13-19 and just about clinging on with smart flick serves and gritty retrieving, but need a lot more to turn the tide in this game.

Ji Ting and Xiang Yu get the match point and the China team members burge into the court. Adam and Rossi fought valiantly for some points towards the end, launching a barrage of attacks on the Chinese, but it was not to be. China secure their 12th title by beating France 3-1 in the final of the Thomas Cup 2026. Shi Yu Qi started off with a win but Alex Lanier beat Li Shi Feng to bring France back into the game. But in the next match, Weng Hong Yang beat Toma Popov and then Ji Ting and Xiang Yu won 21-13, 21-16 to close down the victory.