NEW DELHI : India’s 21-year-old Ayush Shetty stunned defending champion and world number one Shi Yuqi of China 21-14 13-21 21-19 on Monday to reach the second round of the BWF World Championships in New Delhi.
Playing in front of a home crowd, Shetty produced an impressive combination of powerful smashes and determined defence to secure his first victory over Shi in four meetings.
The Indian had lost their previous three encounters, including a straight-games defeat by Shi in the final of the Badminton Asia Championships earlier this year.
Shetty made a strong start, taking the opening game 21-14, but Shi responded by winning the second 21-13 to force a deciding game.
However, he maintained his composure and produced a strong finish to close out the match 21-19 and complete one of the tournament’s biggest early upsets.
The victory marks another significant step in the rise of the Karnataka-born player, who has emerged as one of India’s leading men’s singles prospects.
Earlier this year, Shetty became the first Indian men’s singles player in 61 years to reach the final of the Badminton Asia Championships. He defeated Thailand’s Kunlavut Vitidsarn in the semi-finals before losing to Shi in the title match.
Shetty’s latest victory avenges that defeat and strengthens his growing reputation on the international stage.
