2026 Thomas Cup – China vs. Australia Match Schedule (April 24)
The pursuit of the 2026 Thomas Cup begins today at Forum Horsens as the powerhouse Chinese men’s team takes on Australia. Occupying Court 3, China enters the tournament as a top-tier contender, looking to assert their dominance early in the group stages.
While China boasts a roster of world champions and high-ranking veterans like Shi Yuqi, Australia brings a spirited squad featuring experienced doubles specialists and emerging singles talents. The Aussies will look to capitalize on any early-tournament nerves from the favorites in this opening Group A tie.
The first serve is scheduled for 8:30 AM local time, which translates to a mid-afternoon start for fans watching from China.
Match Schedule: China vs. Australia
- Date: April 24, 2026
- Venue: Forum Horsens, Court 3 (Not broadcast on TV)
- Group Stage: Group A (R1)
| Match | Category | China (CHN) | vs. | Australia (AUS) | Local Time (UTC+2) | China Time (UTC+8) |
| 1 | MS 1 | Shi Yuqi | vs. | Ephraim Stephen Sam | 08:30 AM | 02:30 PM |
| 2 | MD 1 | Liang Weikeng / Wang Chang | vs. | Rizky Hidayat / Jack Yu | 09:20 AM* | 03:20 PM* |
| 3 | MS 2 | Li Shifeng | vs. | Shrey Dhand | 10:10 AM* | 04:10 PM* |
| 4 | MD 2 | Chen Boyang / Liu Yi | vs. | A. Ramadiansyah / F. Zhao | 11:00 AM* | 05:00 PM* |
| 5 | MS 3 | Lu Guangzu | vs. | Rishi Honda Boopathy | 11:50 AM* | 05:50 PM* |
*Estimated start times; matches follow a “Followed By” schedule based on court availability.
Key Matchups to Watch
- The Ace (MS1): All eyes will be on Shi Yuqi as he looks to provide a clinical start for China. Facing Australia’s Ephraim Stephen Sam, Shi’s deceptive net play and powerful smashes will be the benchmark for the tie.
- World-Class Doubles (MD1): The world-renowned pair of Liang Weikeng and Wang Chang bring their high-octane style to Court 3. They face a tough Australian duo in Hidayat and Yu, who are known for their resilience in defensive rallies.
- The Finisher (MS3): Should the tie extend to the final rubber, veteran Lu Guangzu provides a steady hand for China. His experience in high-pressure team environments is a major asset for the squad.
Note to Fans: In the Thomas Cup group stage, all five matches are typically completed to determine final group standings, which can be crucial for knockout stage seeding.
