Japan, Malaysia Dominate in Sudirman Cup Openers

Japan and Malaysia have both advanced to the Sudirman Cup quarter-finals after dominant group-stage performances, each securing 5-0 victories in their opening matches—Japan over Australia and Malaysia over France. Japan followed up with another strong showing, defeating France 5-0 to top their group, while Malaysia beat Australia 4-1. Both nations are seeking their first Sudirman Cup title, having previously finished as runners-up. The next group-stage clash between Malaysia and Japan will determine the top spot in Group C, potentially resulting in a more favorable quarter-final draw. Meanwhile, South Korea, Taiwan, defending champions China, and Thailand also progressed to the last eight after strong performances in their respective groups. The tournament now builds toward high-stakes matchups among the world's leading badminton nations.