Denmark and France have both progressed to the quarter-finals of the Thomas Cup after strong wins on day three of the Thomas & Uber Cup in Bangkok.

The Danish men continue their perfect start to retaining the Thomas Cup and progress to the knock-out stages after coming through 5-0 against Russia.

The Russians made it a much more competitive encounter for Denmark compared to their opening bout with Algeria. But it still managed to end up being five straight set wins.

To top the group, Denmark must defeat a Malaysia side who have also recorded consecutive 5-0 wins over Russia and Algeria. That match takes place tomorrow afternoon.

As for France, they recovered well after yesterday’s 5-0 defeat to China to defeat Australia 5-0 and seal their place in the last eight.With very little threat coming from Australia, France made it light work and has given them a lot of confidence going into the knockout stages.

Elsewhere in the Thomas Cup, a 4-1 defeat against Japan means Germany will not be making it into the quarter-finals. It was a tough loss for the Germans, that included four of the five contests being decided in a third set. Doubles pair Mark Lamsfuss and Marvin Emil Seidel managed to level the contest after a tight three-set win over Takeshi Kamura and Keigo Sonoda 15-21, 21-13, 21-19.

After that, it was three heart-breaking losses for singles players Kai Schaefer and Marc Zweibler as well as doubles pair Jones Ralfy Jansen and Josche Zurwonne.

Germany go into their final group game against Hong Kong aiming to avoid finishing at the bottom of Group C.

See also: Jonas Ralfy Jansen: excited to play in his first Thomas Cup

Denmark’s women missout on topping their group

Meanwhile in the Uber Cup, Denmark failed to top Group Cafter a narrow 3-2 defeat to South Korea. Despite both teams going into match knowing their place in the quarter-finals already being confirmed, winning the group was to be crucial to give either side the confidence of contending for a podium spot.

It began with a 21-13, 21-12 defeat by Mia Blichfeldt against South Korea’s Sung Ji Hyun. After, the Dane’s turned it around with narrow straight set wins for doubles pair Maiken Fruergaard and Sara Thygsen,as well as Line Hojmark Kjaersfeldt in the second singles encounter of the match.

But in the end, despite the best efforts of the Danish team, defeats for Julie Finne-Ipsen and Rikke Soby in the doubles and Line Christophersen in the deciding singles sealed their fate as group runners-up.

See also: Blichfeldt – “I feel ready”

The other match in Denmark’s group saw Russia end their campaign with a strong 5-0 win over Mauritius to avoid finishing without a win.After a 21-19, 21-19 singles win for Evgeniya Kosetskaya, Russia were on cruise control and recorded dominant wins for the rest of the contest.

As for Germany, their 5-0 loss to Chinese Taipei means that they cannot make into the quarter-finals. It was a valiant effort by the Germans.But sadly there was nothing to show for it. A tough three-set loss in the fifth and final match of the tie for Fabienne Deprez over Lin Ying Chun 20-22, 21-12,23-21 could well be a bitter pill to swallow for this talented side.

In Group D, it was sadly another 5-0 defeat for France. This time at the hands of Indonesia. That result means they will not be making it past the group stages.

But it was not all straight forward for the Asian participant, as doubles pair Delphine Delrue and Lea Palermo gave some hope for the finals debutants. They took the lead in their encounter with Nitya Krishinda Maheswari and Apriyani Rahayu. Then after being on the verge of an upset victory, the Indonesian pair toppled Delrue and Palermo in a thrilling contest 16-21, 21-19, 21-19.

To avoid ending the tournament without a win, they must do something in their final group match against Malaysia tomorrow morning.

For a full list of the latest results and tables, click here.