Rising Indian star Ayush Shetty shocked Japan’s Kodai Naraoka at the Hong Kong Open, joining Lakshya Sen and doubles pair Satwiksairaj-Chirag in the quarterfinals. A breakthrough moment for Shetty highlights India’s growing dominance in global badminton.
Indian badminton witnessed a day of remarkable triumphs at the Hong Kong Open Super 500, with young shuttler Ayush Shetty producing the biggest upset of the tournament so far. The 20-year-old from Karnataka stunned Japan’s Kodai Naraoka, the 2023 World Championships silver medallist and a former world No. 2, to storm into the men’s singles quarterfinals on Thursday.
Shetty, who has been steadily making waves on the international circuit this year, played with fearless intensity and tactical maturity to overcome the Japanese star in a thrilling three-game battle. The rising star triumphed 21-19, 12-21, 21-14 in 72 minutes, showcasing sharp shot-making, aggressive rallies, and excellent defensive retrievals.
The match began with Shetty showing little respect for reputations, catching Naraoka off-guard with his attacking pace. Despite the Japanese shuttler recovering in the second game, Shetty’s superior court coverage and unwavering focus in the decider sealed what is arguably the biggest win of his career so far. This victory comes just months after his triumph at the U.S. Open Super 300 in June, further cementing his status as one of India’s brightest young badminton prospects.
Shetty’s quarterfinal clash promises extra excitement for Indian fans, as he will face his compatriot and training partner Lakshya Sen. Both players train at the renowned Prakash Padukone Badminton Academy in Bengaluru, setting the stage for a fascinating all-Indian encounter.
For Lakshya Sen, the win against fellow Indian HS Prannoy brought relief and resurgence. The 23-year-old, ranked 20th in the world, fought back after losing the first game to register a spirited 15-21, 21-18, 21-10 victory. The result marks Lakshya’s first appearance in a BWF World Tour quarterfinal since March, breaking a six-month drought plagued by injuries and patchy form.
After dropping the opening game, Lakshya recalibrated his strategy, playing with sharper attacking strokes and forcing Prannoy into errors. In the decisive third game, he overturned a 9-13 deficit with a series of commanding points to dominate the finish. This hard-fought victory will undoubtedly boost Lakshya’s confidence as he looks to rebuild consistency on the international stage.
India’s success in Hong Kong was not limited to singles. Star doubles duo Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, currently ranked world No. 9, lived up to their reputation with a solid three-game win over Thailand’s Chaloempon Sukphun and Nanthakarn Teeraratsakul. The pair, who recently secured a bronze medal at the World Championships in Paris, once again demonstrated their class and resilience.
Despite dropping the first game 18-21, the Indian pair found their rhythm and dominated the next two games 21-15, 21-11 with trademark power smashes, quick interceptions, and flawless coordination at the net. Their comeback underlined why they remain one of the most formidable men’s doubles teams on the tour. They now advance to face Malaysia’s Junaidi Arif and Roy King Yap in the quarterfinals, a match that promises to test their tactical depth and adaptability.
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The impressive performances from Ayush Shetty, Lakshya Sen, and the Satwik-Chirag pairing underline India’s growing depth in world badminton. While Shetty’s breakthrough win over Naraoka has put him in the spotlight, Lakshya’s return to form and the consistency of the doubles team reflect the collective strength of Indian badminton on the global stage.
With three strong contenders in the quarterfinals, Indian fans will be watching eagerly as the tournament progresses. For Shetty, the clash against Lakshya Sen is more than just a battle for a semifinal spot — it is a statement of India’s rising badminton generation ready to challenge the world’s best.
