Indian shuttler Ayush Shetty has delivered a stunning performance at the Badminton Asia Championships in Ningbo, China. In the opening round today, Shetty defeated World No. 7 Li Shi Feng in straight games, 21-13, 21-16, in a match lasting just over 50 minutes. Shetty will next face Taiwanese player Chi Yu Jen for a place in the quarterfinals.
In mixed doubles, India’s pair of Dhruv Kapila and Tanisha Crasto registered a hard-fought win over Thailand’s Phuwanat Horbanluekit and Benyapa Aimsaard.
In other fixtures, Thomas Cup winner H.S. Prannoy will start against World No. 62, Nguyen Hai Dang of Vietnam, while youngster Ayush Shetty will meet fifth seed Li Shi Feng of China, the 2023 All-England champion, in a first-round match. Meanwhile, top Indian shuttlers PV Sindhu and Lakshya Sen are scheduled to begin their campaigns later today.
