Young Indian stuns World No. 1 Kunlavut Vitidsarn with a thrilling comeback; set to face China’s Y.Q. Shi in final
Punjab Newsline,Sports:
India’s rising badminton star Ayush Shetty delivered a sensational performance to book his place in the final of the Badminton Asia Championships, drawing high praise from two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu, who described him as a “generational talent.” The youngster produced a remarkable comeback to defeat World No. 1 Kunlavut Vitidsarn in a gripping semifinal clash at the Ningbo Olympic Sports Centre on Saturday.
After losing the opening game 10-21, Ayush showed tremendous composure and fighting spirit to turn the match around, winning the next two games 21-19, 21-17 in a contest that lasted one hour and 15 minutes. His aggressive shot-making, improved net control, and ability to handle pressure proved decisive against the top seed.
Sindhu, who has been training alongside Ayush in recent weeks, expressed her admiration for the youngster’s natural ability and on-court presence. She highlighted his powerful smash, impressive reach, and strong defensive instincts, noting that his talent is evident the moment he steps on court. She also praised his work ethic and positive attitude during training, calling his recent progress encouraging signs for Indian badminton.
Ayush’s journey to the final has been nothing short of extraordinary. The World No. 25 registered a major quarterfinal win over Jonatan Christie and also defeated top contenders like Li Shi Feng earlier in the tournament, underlining his rapid rise on the international stage.
While Sindhu lauded his potential, she also emphasized the importance of fitness and injury management in shaping his long-term career. Ayush will now face China’s Shi Yuqi in the final on Sunday, where he will look to cap off his dream run with a title-winning performance.