4 min learnNew DelhiUp to date: Aug 17, 2026 08:37 PM IST
Underdog dwelling favorite taking over World champion in first spherical of a World Championship is script for a blockbuster.
The script was delivered on Monday as Unseeded Ayush Shetty took down World no 1 Shi Yuqi 21-14, 13-21, 21-19 in a 73 minutes thriller.
Ayush survived a scare within the third recreation as he gave away a lead of 17-6 earlier than profitable 21-19.
“It was a bit immature of me and I knew he was not going to present me straightforward factors,” Ayush stated after the win.
Backed by a partisan crowd on the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi, Ayush began with a lead within the first recreation. He began with three consecutive factors and by no means gave away the lead.
Ayush displayed immaculate defence and used his booming smash successfully. He led 11-5 on the mid recreation break.
Whereas Shi tried coming again after that with two highly effective smashes and a few misleading drops, Ayush held his fort with down the road smashes and placement of his drops.
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Ayush gained the primary recreation 21-14 with a strong smash.
After the change of sides within the second recreation, Shi began on the entrance foot with a 4-2 lead as Ayush faltered on the web.
India’s Ayush Shetty in motion on the Badminton World Championships. (Picture: BAI)
Shi used the quicker aspect to his benefit and gained three factors on a trot however Ayush didn’t let him run away with the lead.
Shi led 11-9 on the mid-game break.
Going again to the quicker aspect, Ayush began with the lead within the decider and scored one exact down the road smash and a strong smash on Shi’s physique.
What a thriller actually.
Ayush Shetty holds his nerve to take out world #1 Shi Yuqi within the video games.
He had a giant lead, messed it up, held his composure and produced the most effective upsets of his profession
Crowd had their finest time as we speak. pic.twitter.com/SfMG3YPO3A
— Pritish Raj (@befikramusafir) August 17, 2026
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After two astonishing smashes, Ayush began forcing errors from Shi because the Chinese language hit twice on web and lifted two photographs outdoors.
Ayush led 11-5 on the mid-game break.
Because the shuttlers modified sides, Ayush was impeccable along with his shot choice and took 5 straight factors to make it 16-6.
He, then, produced a physique smash to make it 17-6 earlier than conceding three factors to the Chinese language.
Shi took two extra factors because it seemed like he was regaining his confidence. Nonetheless, Ayush made it 18-12 with shot.
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Ayush conceded three extra factors as Shi diminished the deficit to 3 factors with 15-18.
Ayush bought fortunate within the nineteenth level as Shi performed one shot which was going huge after which hit one huge to make it 15-19. Ayush bought the match level by a matter of inches as his smash was barely inside.
ALSO READ | Fast remark: How Ayush Shetty used the tactical lift to defeat World No 1 Chinese Shi Yuqi
Shi saved two match factors with one exact drop and a physique smash after which Ayush hit two on the web as strain bought to him with the rating at 19-20.
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The Indian shuttler held his composure and pushed one to unsuitable soccer Shi and upset the highest seed in entrance of the raucous followers.
“House assist is unquestionably an power booster for me. It helped me within the robust moments,” he stated.
Ayush will face the winner of Dumindu Abeywickrama and Adriano Viale.
