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#Thomas #Uber #Cup #Finals #India #men #beat #Canada #women #host #Denmark">Thomas & Uber Cup Finals 2026: India men beat Canada 4-1; women go down 2-3 to host Denmark Lakshya Sen endured a tough loss, but Ayush Shetty and the doubles pair of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty registered wins as 2022 champion India notched up a commanding 4-1 win over Canada in its opening Group A tie of the Thomas Cup Finals in Horsens on Friday.
However, there was disappointment in store in the women’s section as India lost 2-3 to host Denmark in the opening Group A tie of the Uber Cup Finals.
After Lakshya’s spirited effort ended in an 18-21, 21-19, 21-10 loss to world No. 13 Victor Lai, World No. 4 Satwik and Chirag levelled the tie with a dominant 21-10, 21-11 win over Jonathan Bing Tsan Lai and Kevin Lee.
The 20-year-old Ayush, runner-up at the recent Asia Championships, then outwitted world No. 33 Brian Yang 21-13, 21-17 in 39 minutes to hand India a 2-1 lead.
The second doubles pair of Hariharan Amsakarunan and M R Arjun sealed the tie for India with a convincing 21-7 21-15 victory over Ty Alexander Lindeman and Nyl Yakura.
Kidambi Srikanth then outsmarted world No. 77 Joshua Nguyen 21-17, 21-12 in the inconsequential fifth match as India wrapped up the match 4-1 to be placed second in the table behind China.
China, 11-time winner and defending champion, beat Australia 5-0.
The top two teams from each of the four groups will qualify for the quarterfinals.
“Really happy with the way we played today… although we were down 0-1, we’re happy that we could get a point for the team and make it 1-0.
“We don’t want to keep so many expectations; we just want to enjoy as much as possible. It’s a long tournament; we have a three-day break now. There are new people who have come in; they are young, and everyone is in good spirits,” Satwik told reporters.
“We just want to have some good memories in 10 days because you don’t get time. It’s a team event; let’s have some fun. We’re taking one day at a time.”
In the Uber Cup, India lost 2-3 to host Denmark in their opening tie of Group A.
Two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu put India ahead with a tough 21-13, 18-21, 21-17 win over Denmark’s World No. 21 Line Christophersen.
World No. 3 Unnati Hooda then produced a late fightback and saved multiple match points before going down 12-21, 23-25 against world No. 26 Line Hojmark Kjaersfeldt, who won a silver medal at the 2026 European Badminton Championships early this month.
Tanvi Sharma went down to Amalie Schulz 21-19, 16-21, 16-21 in a 54-minute contest after taking the opening game as India trailed 1-2.
In their must-win rubber, the women’s doubles pair of Shruti Mishra and Priya Konjengbam missed two match points before losing the decider to Amalie Cecilie Kudsk and Mette Werge 17-21, 21-11, 21-23 in a one-hour and 15-minute battle.
In the final inconsequential rubber, Tanisha Crasto and PV registered a win after Alexandra Boje and Christine Busch conceded the match in the second game.
The Indian pair had taken the first game 21-19 and were trailing 14-17 when the Danish duo retired after 36 minutes of play.
Lakshya vs Lai
It turned into another energy-sapping contest, reminiscent of the All England semifinal, with Lakshya and Lai locked in long, draining rallies.
Lakshya dictated early with sharp net play and smashes, doing enough to take the opening game despite Lai closing in from 14-18.
Lai hit back after the change of ends, racing to 7-2 and unsettling the Indian with clever deception and changes of pace to lead 11-7.
A 45-shot rally sparked a brief comeback as Lakshya drew level at 12-12, but Lai held firm in the closing stages, edging a tight finish after 19-19 with a net winner and a composed duel.
The decider was one-sided as Lai surged to 4-1 and 10-3, carrying the momentum to 11-5 at the break. Lakshya struggled to keep up as the Canadian mixed precision with power to move to 16-8 before sealing the match when the Indian went long, avenging his Birmingham loss.
India next faces Australia and China on Monday and Wednesday.
Sindhu vs Christophersen
Sindhu started slowly before cruising through the opening game but was pushed into a decider by Christophersen.
The Dane raised her intensity in the second, matching Sindhu stroke for stroke from 6-6 to 11-11 and edging ahead 16-15 before forcing the decider as errors crept into the Indian’s game.
Backed by chants from the Indian camp, Sindhu relied on her deception and angles to stay in the contest.
Christophersen mixed pace well early in the third to lead 4-3, but Sindhu responded with three quick points to go 9-8 up and held a narrow edge at the interval.
The Dane again moved ahead 15-12 but faltered with errors as Sindhu drew level at 15-15.
In a nervy finish, Sindhu held her composure, winning six of the last seven points to move 18-16 ahead before finishing with a body smash and a down-the-line winner to seal the match.
Published on Apr 24, 2026
Lakshya Sen endured a tough loss, but Ayush Shetty and the doubles pair of Satwiksairaj…
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#Thomas #Cup #India #takes #lead #Canada #opener #Lakshya #Sen #loss">Thomas Cup 2026: India takes lead over Canada in opener despite Lakshya Sen loss
India began its Thomas Cup campaign with a 3-1 lead over Canada in the first round with Srikanth Kidambi’s game still left at the Forum Horsens, Court 2 in Denmark on Friday.
Ayush Shetty and double pairs of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, and Hariharan Amsakarunan and M.R Arjun won their respective games.
Ayush beat Brian Yang 21-13, 21-17 while Satwik-Chirag won 21-10, 21-11 over Jonathan Lai and Kevin Lee. Amsakarunan and Arjun pair defeated Ty Alexander Lindeman and Nyl Yakura 21-7,
Lakshya Sen, however, lost 21-18, 19-21, 10-21 to Victor Lai in the first match.
– More to follow
Published on Apr 24, 2026
India began its Thomas Cup campaign with a 3-1 lead over Canada in the first round with Srikanth Kidambi’s game still left at the Forum Horsens, Court 2 in Denmark on Friday.
Ayush Shetty and double pairs of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, and Hariharan Amsakarunan and M.R Arjun won their respective games.
Ayush beat Brian Yang 21-13, 21-17 while Satwik-Chirag won 21-10, 21-11 over Jonathan Lai and Kevin Lee. Amsakarunan and Arjun pair defeated Ty Alexander Lindeman and Nyl Yakura 21-7,
Lakshya Sen, however, lost 21-18, 19-21, 10-21 to Victor Lai in the first match.
– More to follow
Published on Apr 24, 2026
India began its Thomas Cup campaign with a 3-1 lead over Canada in the first…
Sports news
#Thomas #Uber #Cup #India #Men #repeat #history #Women #eye #strong #run">Thomas and Uber Cup 2026: India Men look to repeat history; Women eye strong run
Banking on a settled core and bolstered by the rise of Ayush Shetty, the Indian men’s team will aim to reclaim the title, while the women’s side looks to punch above its weight at the BWF Thomas and Uber Cup beginning here on Friday.
India will open its campaign against Canada on Friday, followed by matches against Australia on Monday (April 27) and China on Wednesday (April 29).
Four years ago, India did the unprecedented, clinching the Thomas Cup crown, considered the World Team Championship of badminton. A bunch of bravehearts, led by Kidambi Srikanth and H.S. Prannoy, defied all odds as they tamed Denmark, Malaysia and Indonesia en route to that epic moment in Indian badminton history.
That week witnessed Srikanth emerge as the invincible leader, Prannoy the decider specialist, and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty the gentle giants. Two years later, India’s title defence ended against China in the quarterfinals.
Cut to 2026, there is renewed hope as the Indian men, with the same core and the exuberance of rising star Ayush, eye a repeat.
Ayush is coming off a strong show at the Badminton Asia Championships, where he became the first Indian to reach the final in 61 years, while Lakshya Sen recorded a second runner-up finish at the All England Championships last month.
Both the Indians produced some stunning performances against top players such as Li Shi Feng and Jonatan Christie.
After missing action due to a shoulder injury, Satwik and his partner Chirag will be back with a fresh mind and body as India face Pan American champion Canada, Oceania champion Australia, and 11-time winner and defending champion China in Group A.
“We will have a good chance to win the Thomas Cup again. With Ayush and Lakshya in singles and Satwik and Chirag in doubles, of course, everything will have to click,” former India coach Vimal Kumar said.
“India and China should pull through from the group.”
The onus will mainly be on the young guns to take India through, as Srikanth and Prannoy are not in the best of form.
While Srikanth had two runner-up finishes last year, he has struggled in the BWF World Tour events. Prannoy too has been bogged down by niggles and endured a forgettable season since the 2024 Olympics, when he battled through chikungunya.
While India will rely on their experience, Kiran George might be called into service for the third singles. Hariharan Amsakarunan and M. R. Arjun will shoulder the second doubles responsibility.
India should reach the quarterfinals first, though it is likely to face resistance from world championships bronze medallist Viktor Lai of Canada, which also has a good player in Brian Yang.
In fact, China no longer has that invincible aura of the past, and on its day, Indian shuttlers are capable of taming them, as Ayush and Lakshya have shown in the recent past.
In the knockout stage, India has the wherewithal to take on any team, and there will be no dearth of motivation and team camaraderie as the core remains the same.
Tough road ahead for women
In the Uber Cup, the Indian women’s team, led by double Olympic medallist P.V. Sindhu, will face Denmark on Friday (April 24), Ukraine on Saturday (April 25), and China on Monday (April 27).
India has won bronze medals in the 2014 and 2016 editions, but it will be an uphill battle this time, especially without the services of Gayatri Gopichand and Treesa Jolly, who is nursing an ankle injury.
The women’s team is clubbed with European Team Championships runner-up Denmark, bronze medallist Ukraine, and 16-time champion China.
India has a young core, with world junior championships bronze medallist Tanvi Sharma, Thailand Open Super 300 winner Devika Sihag, Unnati Hooda, winner of three Super 100 titles and two International Challenge titles, and Isharani Baruah sharing responsibility for the second and third singles.
In Treesa-Gayatri’s absence, the pair of Priya Konjengbam and Shruti Mishra will handle the second doubles, while Kavipriya Selvam and Simran Singhi are likely to play the first doubles, with the experience of Tanisha Crasto also coming into play.
A lot will depend on Sindhu as she plays the first singles, but she has struggled to maintain consistency in recent times, with a Malaysia Open semifinal her best show this season.
Published on Apr 23, 2026
Banking on a settled core and bolstered by the rise of Ayush Shetty, the Indian men’s team will aim to reclaim the title, while the women’s side looks to punch above its weight at the BWF Thomas and Uber Cup beginning here on Friday.
India will open its campaign against Canada on Friday, followed by matches against Australia on Monday (April 27) and China on Wednesday (April 29).
Four years ago, India did the unprecedented, clinching the Thomas Cup crown, considered the World Team Championship of badminton. A bunch of bravehearts, led by Kidambi Srikanth and H.S. Prannoy, defied all odds as they tamed Denmark, Malaysia and Indonesia en route to that epic moment in Indian badminton history.
That week witnessed Srikanth emerge as the invincible leader, Prannoy the decider specialist, and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty the gentle giants. Two years later, India’s title defence ended against China in the quarterfinals.
Cut to 2026, there is renewed hope as the Indian men, with the same core and the exuberance of rising star Ayush, eye a repeat.
Ayush is coming off a strong show at the Badminton Asia Championships, where he became the first Indian to reach the final in 61 years, while Lakshya Sen recorded a second runner-up finish at the All England Championships last month.
Both the Indians produced some stunning performances against top players such as Li Shi Feng and Jonatan Christie.
After missing action due to a shoulder injury, Satwik and his partner Chirag will be back with a fresh mind and body as India face Pan American champion Canada, Oceania champion Australia, and 11-time winner and defending champion China in Group A.
“We will have a good chance to win the Thomas Cup again. With Ayush and Lakshya in singles and Satwik and Chirag in doubles, of course, everything will have to click,” former India coach Vimal Kumar said.
“India and China should pull through from the group.”
The onus will mainly be on the young guns to take India through, as Srikanth and Prannoy are not in the best of form.
While Srikanth had two runner-up finishes last year, he has struggled in the BWF World Tour events. Prannoy too has been bogged down by niggles and endured a forgettable season since the 2024 Olympics, when he battled through chikungunya.
While India will rely on their experience, Kiran George might be called into service for the third singles. Hariharan Amsakarunan and M. R. Arjun will shoulder the second doubles responsibility.
India should reach the quarterfinals first, though it is likely to face resistance from world championships bronze medallist Viktor Lai of Canada, which also has a good player in Brian Yang.
In fact, China no longer has that invincible aura of the past, and on its day, Indian shuttlers are capable of taming them, as Ayush and Lakshya have shown in the recent past.
In the knockout stage, India has the wherewithal to take on any team, and there will be no dearth of motivation and team camaraderie as the core remains the same.
Tough road ahead for women
In the Uber Cup, the Indian women’s team, led by double Olympic medallist P.V. Sindhu, will face Denmark on Friday (April 24), Ukraine on Saturday (April 25), and China on Monday (April 27).
India has won bronze medals in the 2014 and 2016 editions, but it will be an uphill battle this time, especially without the services of Gayatri Gopichand and Treesa Jolly, who is nursing an ankle injury.
The women’s team is clubbed with European Team Championships runner-up Denmark, bronze medallist Ukraine, and 16-time champion China.
India has a young core, with world junior championships bronze medallist Tanvi Sharma, Thailand Open Super 300 winner Devika Sihag, Unnati Hooda, winner of three Super 100 titles and two International Challenge titles, and Isharani Baruah sharing responsibility for the second and third singles.
In Treesa-Gayatri’s absence, the pair of Priya Konjengbam and Shruti Mishra will handle the second doubles, while Kavipriya Selvam and Simran Singhi are likely to play the first doubles, with the experience of Tanisha Crasto also coming into play.
A lot will depend on Sindhu as she plays the first singles, but she has struggled to maintain consistency in recent times, with a Malaysia Open semifinal her best show this season.
Published on Apr 23, 2026
Banking on a settled core and bolstered by the rise of Ayush Shetty, the Indian…