epa05246014 Sho Sasaki of Japan in action against Viktor Axelsen (not pictured) of Denmark during the men's single preliminary round of the Celcom-Axiata Malaysia Open Badminton tournament in Shah Alam near Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 06 April 2016. EPA/AHMAD YUSNI
KUNSHAN: Japan looked far from impressive as they started their Thomas Cup title defence by beating France 5-0 in the opening Group A tie at the Kunshan Sports Center Gymnasium.
It was a jittery start for Sho Sasaki when he needed to save three match points against unfancied Frenchman Thomas Rouxel.
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