New Delhi: Rising Indian shuttler Ayush Shetty continued his remarkable run at the Asian Badminton Championships with the biggest win of his young career, knocking out third-seeded Indonesian Jonatan Christie in the quarterfinals in Ningbo, China.
Ayush produced a remarkable performance to beat world number three and one of the tournament favourites, 23-21, 21-17, in 54 minutes, to qualify for the semifinal. With the landmark win over Christie, the 20-year-old Karnataka youngster added another famous win to his kitty at the continental tournament.
Ayush, the reigning US Open 300 champion, had started his campaign with a stunning 21-13, 21-16 win over world no. 7 and fifth seed Li Shi Feng of China.
He continued the winning momentum with another impressive victory, clinching the Round of 16 clash against Chin Yu Jen of Chinese Taipei in straight games on Thursday. With a clinical 21-16, 21-12 win over the Yu Jen in 41 minutes, Ayush booked a blockbuster clash against Christie.
Ayush lone Indian in the fray
India’s medal hopes now rest on the young shoulders of Ayush, who is the lone Indian left in the competition after several seasoned players failed to make a mark in the prestigious tournament.
On Thursday, two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu and former world championship medallist HS Prannoy were knocked out after losing their respective second-round matches.
Prannoy bowed out after losing 12-21, 19-21 to world No. 17 Weng Hong Yang of Hong Kong, while Sindhu crashed out of the women’s singles section with a straight-games defeat to two-time Asian champion and second seed Wang Zhi Yi of China.
Dismal performance by Indian shuttlers
Sindhu, returning to action after missing the All England Championship and the Swiss Open, began her campaign with a comeback win over Wong Ling Ching of Malaysia.
Young Indian duo of Malvika Bansod and Tanvi Sharma had bowed out in the women’s singles opening round, as did Kidambi Srikanth and Lakshya Sen after losing their men’s singles openers.
In the mixed doubles category, Tanisha Crasto and Dhruv Kapila were knocked out after losing to the fourth-seeded duo of Toh Ee Wei and Chang Ten Jie 13-21, 14-21.
Any hopes of joy in the women’s category were dashed on Friday with the exit of Unnati Hooda, who lost to world no. 9 Tomoka Miyazaki of Japan in straight games.