Xiamen: Malaysia got off to a flying start to their 2025 Sudirman Cup campaign by defeating France 5-0 in their opening Group C tie at the Fenghuang Gymnasium in Xiamen, China today.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, national professional men's doubles pair Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Mohd Rumsani showed no mercy as they dominated Mael Cattoen-Lucas Renoir, ranked 58th in the world, dispatching them in just 29 minutes with a score of 21-11, 21-9. Sze Fei noted the importance of adapting to the court and wind conditions and acknowledged their ongoing preparation and training with the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM).

In the women's singles, national professional shuttler Goh Jin Wei secured Malaysia's second point by defeating Leonice Huet 21-10, 21-19 in a 33-minute encounter. Jin Wei, participating in her third Sudirman Cup, expressed her gratitude to BAM for their continued support.

Leong Jun Hao, in the men's singles, engaged in a tightly contested match with Arnaud Merkle. The world number 26 eventually emerged victorious after 55 minutes, winning 22-20, 21-19.

Malaysia further secured their win with contributions from the women's doubles pair Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah, who overcame Margot Lambert-Camille Pognante 21-13, 21-10, and the professional mixed doubles pair Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai Jemie, who defeated Gregoire Deschamp-Elsa Jacob 21-7, 21-19.

Malaysia is set to continue their campaign against Australia tomorrow before facing third seeds Japan on May 1. The team aims to secure one of the top two spots in the group to qualify for the quarter-finals. Malaysia's best achievements in the Sudirman Cup have been reaching the semi-finals on three occasions - in 2009, 2021, and 2023.