Ayush Shetty stunned defending champion Shi Yu Qi at the BWF World Championships, with coach Sagar Chopda praising his decisive final shot and tactical maturity.
Indian badminton sensation Ayush Shetty produced one of the biggest upsets of the BWF World Championships, defeating defending champion and World No. 1 Shi Yu Qi in a thrilling opening-round encounter at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi on Monday.
The match went down to a nervy finish in the deciding third game, with Shetty holding his composure when the pressure was at its highest. After Shi saved four match points and began closing the gap, the Indian youngster produced a remarkable deceptive net flick to seal a memorable victory.
Shetty shaped as though he would direct the shuttle towards Shi’s forehand side but changed direction at the last possible moment, sending the shuttle the other way and leaving the Chinese star unable to respond. The audacious stroke brought the match to an end and earned Shetty a landmark victory over one of the world’s leading players.
Shetty’s long-time coach Sagar Chopda was particularly impressed by the youngster’s ability to execute such a difficult shot under extreme pressure.
“I am extremely happy with the way Ayush played that last shot. I mean, to play that at that moment speaks volumes of his talent,” Chopda said in a post-match breakdown shared by the Badminton Association of India’s YouTube channel.
According to Chopda, the deceptive shot has been one of Shetty’s strengths for years and was not simply a tactic introduced for the match against Shi.
“He has always been good at that shot,” Chopda explained, adding that Shetty had used the stroke several times during the contest, including while receiving serve. He also highlighted that such natural instincts are difficult for coaches to teach and are often developed by players from a young age.
Chopda felt the shot was especially important because Shi had become increasingly alert around the net during the closing stages. The Chinese player had won several points through his sharp net play, while Shetty appeared increasingly nervous.
“If he had probably kept the shuttle at the net, Shi was ready for it,” Chopda said. He added that Shetty’s change of direction at the crucial moment immediately gave him confidence that the match-winning opportunity had arrived.
The Indian shuttler’s strong performance was not limited to the final rally. Chopda praised Shetty’s overall tactical execution, particularly his net play, defence, clears and ability to control rallies from the rear court.
Shetty avoided rushing into powerful smashes, an approach that had sometimes caused inconsistency in his game. Instead, he remained patient and used high lifts and clears to move Shi around the court and create openings.
Chopda also credited Indonesian coach Irwansyah for helping Shetty prepare tactically for the contest. The pair had a lengthy discussion before the match, which contributed to the Indian player’s confident start and disciplined approach.
Shetty’s defence was another major factor in the upset. Against a player renowned for his variety from both the back court and the net, Shetty remained prepared for different attacking options and responded effectively.
Chopda described the victory as the best win of Shetty’s career so far. He also revealed that coach Vimal Kumar was present in the stands and provided valuable observations during the match.
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Despite the huge victory, Chopda stressed that Shetty must quickly move on from the achievement. Recovery will now be crucial before the next round, as the Indian youngster looks to build on his breakthrough performance at the World Championships.
