NEW DELHI, AUG 17 (PTI/IANS): India’s Ayush Shetty produced one of the biggest upsets on Day 1 of the BWF World Championships, knocking out world No. 1 and defending champion Shi Yu Qi of China in a thrilling men’s singles opener. The 21-year-old Indian prevailed 21-14, 13-21, 21-19 in a nail-biting contest, registering his first victory over Shi in four meetings.
Ayush’s giant-killing performance
Ayush began with blistering intensity, racing to a 3-0 lead and extending it to 11-5 at the mid-game interval. He maintained control to close out the first game 21-14. Shi responded strongly in the second, engaging in fast-paced rallies and eventually pulling away to win 21-13, forcing a decider.
In the final game, Ayush regrouped brilliantly, surging to a commanding 11-5 lead at the interval. His aggressive play saw him extend the cushion to 16-5, leaving Shi visibly frustrated. Though the Chinese star mounted a late fightback, saving four match points, Ayush held his nerve to seal a monumental victory 21-19.
This triumph marked Ayush’s first win against Shi, having lost their previous three encounters, including the Badminton Asia Championship final earlier this year. His composure under pressure and ability to sustain momentum against the top seed highlighted his growing stature on the international stage.
Sindhu cruises into second round
Meanwhile, two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu began her campaign in emphatic fashion, outclassing Ireland’s Sophia Noble 21-7, 21-11 in just 29 minutes. Seeded ninth, Sindhu dominated from the outset, racing to an 11-2 lead in the first game and closing it comfortably.
In the second game, Noble showed resistance, staying close until Sindhu pulled ahead 11-8 at the break. The Indian then tightened her grip, using clever drop shots and smashes to finish the match with a delicate backhand drop.
Sindhu, already a five-time World Championships medallist with two bronze, two silver, and one gold (2019), is chasing history. A semifinal appearance would assure her of at least a bronze, making her the first player ever to win six medals at the event. Only China’s Lin Dan and Zhao Yunlei have matched her tally of five medals.
Sindhu will next face Canada’s Wen Yu Zhang, who defeated Bulgaria’s Stefani Stoeva 21-7, 21-19.
Jolly-Gayatri, Hariharan-Arjun advance
Commonwealth Games bronze medalists Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand too had an easy first round outing, beating Spanish pair of Paula Lopez and Lucia Rodriguez 21-9, 21-13 in the women’s doubles.
The Indian duo 16th seeds Laurem Lam and Allison Quynh Lee of the United States.
In the first Indian match of the event, Hariharan Amsakarunan and MR Arjun progressed to the second round after their opponents Scott Guildea and Paul Reynolds retired in the game trailing 21-16, 6-4 in men’s doubles.
They will next play 15th seeds Min Hyuk Kang and Dong Ju Ki of Korea, who got a bye in the first round. The star men’s doubles pair of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, seeded fifth, have got a bye into the second round where they will face Scotland’s Alexander Dunn and Adam Pringle.