NINGBO – Aayush Shetty emerged as India’s brightest star at the Badminton Asia Championships, storming into the quarterfinals by dismantling Taiwan’s Chin Yu Jen 21-16, 21-12 in a brisk 41-minute encounter. His aggressive play and unerring smashes left the Taiwanese shuttler reeling.
Building on his first-round triumph over China’s Li Shi Feng (21-13, 21-16), Shetty’s confidence is sky-high. Next up is world-class Indonesian Jonathan Christie, third seed, in what promises to be a blockbuster quarterfinal battle.
Disappointment struck with PV Sindhu’s exit. The Olympic icon succumbed 21-16, 21-12? Wait, straight sets to China’s dominant Wang Zhi Yi after navigating past Malaysia’s Wong Ling Ching in three games. HS Prannoy’s run ended abruptly against Hong Kong’s Weng Hong Yang (12-21, 19-21), despite his prior win over Vietnam’s Nguyen Hai Dang.
Mixed doubles hopes faded as Tanisha Crasto and Dhruv Kapila lost 13-21, 14-21 to Malaysia’s top pair. Yet, excitement brews elsewhere: Unnati Hooda’s stunning reversal against Supanida Katethong sets up a clash with Japan’s Tomoka Miyazaki. Priya Konjengbam and Shruti Mishra chase quarters against Fukushima-Matsumoto.
As the tournament intensifies, Shetty’s surge highlights India’s depth, even as veterans like Sindhu and Prannoy depart early. The road to medals remains open for the rising talents.
