NINGBO (CHINA), Apr 11:
India’s Ayush Shetty stormed into the final with a stunning three-game win over top seed and defending champion Kunlavut Vitidsarn, assuring himself of at least a silver medal at the Badminton Asia Championships here on Saturday.
The world No. 25 rode on his superior attack and robust defence to script a sensational 10-21, 21-19, 21-17 comeback win over Thailand’s Vitidsarn, the Paris Olympics silver medallist and 2023 world champion, in the semifinal that lasted 75 minutes.
“Ayush handled the situation well. He seemed to get into Kunlavut’s head with his attacking style and exploited that smartly,” Vimal Kumar, former India chief coach and Director of Centre for Badminton Excellence (Formerly PPBA), said.
“Taking the second game was crucial. At 20-14, Ayush Shetty looked in control but got a bit anxious as Vitidsarn clawed back to 20-19. That is where he produced something special to close it out.
“All week, he has shown an ability to respond in tight moments, using the right tactics and deploying his smashes and clips judiciously. That discipline paid off.”
With the win, Ayush became the first Indian men’s singles player after Dinesh Khanna to reach the finals of the prestigious tournament.
Khanna remains the only Indian to win the men’s singles gold at the continental meet way back in 1965. Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty won the doubles title in 2023.
The 20-year-old from Mangalore, the US Open Super 300 champion, will face either Chinese Taipei’s fourth seed Chou Tien Chen or second seeded Chinese Shi Yu Qi in the summit clash.
The Indian has secured several high-profile scalps on the BWF World Tour, including
Paris bronze winner Lee Zii Jia, former world champion Loh Kean Yew and Brain Yang. This week, Ayush knocked out World No. 7 Li Shi Feng and World No. 4 Jonatan Christie before outwitting Vitidsarn. (PTI)
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