Ayush Shetty Stuns World No. 1 Shi Yu Qi in BWF World Championships Upset
Copenhagen, Denmark – In a seismic upset that sent ripples through the badminton world, India’s unseeded Ayush Shetty defeated reigning BWF World Champion and World No. 1 Shi Yu Qi of China in a thrilling three-game encounter at the BWF World Championships in Copenhagen on Monday. The victory marks a significant milestone for the young Indian shuttler and propels him into the next round of the prestigious tournament.
The match, widely anticipated as the highlight of Day 1, saw Shetty overcome a daunting head-to-head record and a significant ranking disparity to triumph 21-14, 13-21, 21-19 in a 73-minute spectacle that had spectators on the edge of their seats.
Shetty, who had previously lost all three of his encounters with Shi Yu Qi, including a comprehensive 42-minute defeat at the Asia Championships in April where he managed to secure only 18 points, entered the match as a clear underdog. However, the Indian’s powerful, smash-laden game, which had been stifled in previous meetings, was unleashed with devastating effect.
Legendary Indian badminton coach Pullela Gopichand had predicted a strong performance from Shetty, stating, "Shi Yu Qi in the first round is better than him in the later round. With his big smash, I think Ayush is definitely going to be quite a threat. I do believe he has a very good chance." Shetty emphatically proved Gopichand right.
Playing in his maiden World Championships, Shetty showcased remarkable precision with his smashes and lifts, navigating tricky court conditions where both sides behaved differently. Shi Yu Qi, a two-time Worlds medallist, struggled to counter Shetty’s aggressive play, finding his powerful smashes frequently blocked.
The match escalated into a gripping battle after the duo split the first two games. The decider proved to be a test of both physical endurance and mental fortitude for Shetty. He established a commanding 11-5 lead, which he further extended to 16-5. However, the Chinese shuttler mounted a fierce comeback, winning 10 of the next 12 points to reduce the deficit to a mere three points, threatening to snatch victory from Shetty’s grasp.
"I was telling myself to calm down. I was getting a bit nervous because he was really catching up and the momentum was with him. And everything I did, he somehow managed to retrieve it," Shetty later explained. "So I was just telling myself to calm down and be aggressive."
The pressure mounted as Shi Yu Qi closed in, fueled by the shifting drift on the court and Shetty’s momentary nerves. A simple put-away was netted, and a deep return, initially left alone, landed in, further narrowing the gap. What were once five match points at 20-15 dwindled to just one. However, Shetty, demonstrating incredible composure, cleverly used his wrist on his fifth match point, sending the shuttle away from Yu Qi’s reach and sending the crowd into a frenzy.
The stunning victory by Ayush Shetty was the highlight of an otherwise flawless opening day for the Indian contingent. Former World Champion PV Sindhu eased into the next round, defeating Sophia Noble 21-7, 21-11 in just 29 minutes. The Indian doubles pairings also commenced their campaigns successfully, with Hariharan Amsakarunan-MR Arjun, Treesa Jolly-Gayatri Pullela Gopichand, and Kavipriya Selvam-Simran Singhi all advancing to their respective next rounds, contributing to India’s perfect 5-0 record on Day 1.
"I think overall, playing for the first time, it was important for me to get used to the court conditions and see how it is. Today, I think that was the first thing for me that came into my mind. But I think I managed it well and the court conditions are pretty good," commented Sindhu, who is set to face Canada’s Wen Yu Zhang in her next match.
Shetty’s triumph has injected a palpable sense of excitement and expectation into the Indian camp, setting the stage for what promises to be an enthralling tournament. His ability to overcome a seasoned veteran and top seed under immense pressure underscores his potential and marks him as a player to watch at the 2024 BWF World Championships.
