Ayush Shetty stuns world No. 1 Shi Yu Qi at BWF World Championships

Ayush Shetty stunned world No. 1 Shi Yu Qi to produce the biggest upset of the BWF World Championships and reach the second round. PV Sindhu, Treesa Jolly-Gayatri Gopichand, Kavipriya-Simran and Hariharan-Arjun also advanced with impressive victories

New Delhi: Giant-killer Ayush Shetty produced the biggest upset of the BWF World Championships, stunning world No. 1 Shi Yu Qi of China in a thrilling battle to storm into the men’s singles second round, while PV Sindhu also advanced comfortably in the women’s singles on Monday.

Shetty, who became India’s first men’s singles finalist at the Badminton Asia Championships since 1965, continued his giant-killing run by adding Shi to his list of high-profile victims. The 21-year-old had defeated Li Shi Feng, Jonatan Christie and Kunlavut Vitidsarn en route to a silver medal at the continental championships in April.

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The Karnataka shuttler, who won the 2025 US Open Super 300, defeated Shi 21-14, 13-21, 21-19 in a gripping first-round contest.

Shetty raced to an 11-5 lead in the opening game, buoyed by strong home support. His excellent court coverage, retrievals and powerful smashes troubled the Chinese top seed, while Shi’s unforced errors also aided the Indian.

Shi fought back strongly to force a decider, using his experience to wear down Shetty with long rallies.

However, Shetty remained composed and regained control in the deciding game, racing to an 11-5 lead at the interval before extending it to 15-5.

Shi mounted a spirited comeback, reducing the deficit to 20-19, but Shetty held his nerve to seal the biggest victory of his young career.

Easy outing for Sindhu

Two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu began her quest for a historic sixth World Championships medal with a convincing straight-game victory over Ireland’s Sophia Noble.

Seeded ninth, Sindhu won 21-7, 21-11.

A semifinal appearance would guarantee her at least a bronze medal and make her the first player in World Championships history to win six medals.

Sindhu dominated throughout, though Noble offered greater resistance in the second game before the Indian pulled away with her experience and variety.

“I started off well… It was a good start for me and I was comfortable throughout,” Sindhu said.

She will next face Canada’s Wen Yu Zhang.

Doubles

Commonwealth Games bronze medallists Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand defeated Spain’s Paula Lopez and Lucia Rodriguez 21-9, 21-13 to enter the second round of the women’s doubles.

Kavipriya Selvam and Simran Singhi also advanced after defeating Spain’s Nikol Carulla and Carmen Maria Jimenez 22-20, 21-14.

Hariharan Amsakarunan and MR Arjun progressed after their opponents Scott Guildea and Paul Reynolds retired while trailing 16-21, 4-6.

Fifth-seeded Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty received a first-round bye.