Ayush, despite being pushed to the limit, never gave up.
| Photo Credit: Shiv Kumar Pushpakar
Ayush Shetty, ahead of his badminton World championships debut against defending champion and World No. 1 Shi Yuqi, had assured: “Tomorrow is a new day, and it will be a different game.”
The youngster made good on his promise, sending the Chinese star packing on Monday for the biggest upset of the day and perhaps the entire tournament. He won 21-14, 13-21, 21-19 in 73 minutes despite a late surge from Shi that almost derailed his dream start.
With Ayush leading 17-6 in the decider, the match looked all wrapped up. But Shi stepped up, produced a few impeccable smashes that landed on the line and came up with delectable drops to make it 19-20.
For all the drama, the end was marked by the softest of returns to the back of the court, leaving Shi stranded at the net. The Indian, drained to even celebrate, sported only a slight smile.
Having lost the three previous meetings, including the Asia Championships final in April, Ayush was clearly prepared for Shi.
He started aggressively and did not allow his more fancied opponent to control the momentum.
The 21-year-old took an early lead, a sequence that included the longest rally of the match (45 shots) at 8-5. Shi kept hitting wide and over even as Ayush dived all over the court, fighting for every point. Taking full advantage of his height, the Indian mixed his jump smashes with soft net play.
But to Shi’s credit, he gradually grew into the match, but Ayush was never overwhelmed.
With Shi and his coach indulging in animated discussions during every break, the Chinese was not in full control of either his game or emotions. Despite an attempted comeback, he eventually bowed out.
Ayush’s win was the highlight of the Indian challenge on a day when the rest of the home hopefuls, including P.V. Sindhu, breezed through to the next round. Sindhu went past Ireland’s Sophia Noble 21-7, 21-11.
In doubles, Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand took just over half an hour for a 21-9, 21-13 win over Paula Lopez and Lucia Rodriguez of Spain while Kavipriya Selvam and Simran Singhi beat another Spanish pair, Nikol Carulla and Carmen Maria Jimenez, 22-20, 21-14.
Hariharan Amsakarunan and M.R. Arjun were leading 21-16, 6-4 when their Irish opponents Scott Guildea and Paul Reynolds conceded.
Important results: Men: Ayush Shetty bt Shi Yuqi (Chn) 21-14, 13-21, 21-19; Chou Tien Chen (Tpe) bt Clarence Villaflor (Phi) 21-12, 21-12; Toma Junior Popov (Fra) bt Dominik Kwinta (Pol) 21-19, 21-13; Anders Antonsen (Den) bt Dicky Dwi Pangestu (Aze) 21-19, 21-17. Doubles: Hariharan Amsakarunan & M.R. Arjun bt Scott Guildea & Paul Reynolds (Ire) 21-16, 6-4 ret.
Women: P.V. Sindhu bt Sophia Noble (Ire) 21-7, 21-11; Wang Zhi Yi (Chn) bt Beiwan Zhang (USA) 21-12, 21-13; An Se-young (Kor) bt Kaloyana Nalbantova (Bul) 21-14, 21-13; Mia Blichfeldt (Den) bt Keisha Fatimah Azzahra (Aze) 21-18, 21-4. Doubles: Treesa Jolly & Gayatri Gopichand bt Paula Lopez & Lucia Rodriguez (Esp) 21-9, 21-13; Kavipriya Selvam & Simran Singhi bt Nikol Carulla & Carmen Maria Jimenez (Esp) 22-20, 21-14.
Published – August 17, 2026 11:00 pm IST
