US Open: Ayush Shetty wins first BWF World Tour title, Tanvi runner-up

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New Delhi: Ayush Shetty finally has his hands on a BWF World Tour trophy. The 20-year-old from India produced a composed performance to defeat Canada’s Brian Yang in straight games, clinching the US Open Super 300 title and ending India’s BWF title drought for the year.

Shetty had earlier stunned top seed Chou Tien Chen in the semifinals and looked sharp and composed. He sealed the victory in just 47 minutes with a scoreline of 21-18, 21-13. It was a display of maturity and control from the young shuttler who had come close on several occasions before but fell just short of the top prize.

The final started on even terms with the scores tied at 6-all before Shetty pulled away with a string of points using sharp angles and precise placements to lead 11-6 at the interval. Yang did manage to close the gap to 16-16 but Shetty responded with confident net play and a pinpoint jump smash to take the opening game.

The second game saw Shetty take control early, building a 7-2 lead with his mix of defence and attack and though Yang briefly caught up, the Indian never lost his composure. Shetty led 17-12, using variations and smart placements to frustrate Yang’s attempts to gain momentum. He sealed the match in style with a powerful smash, a moment that was met with a quiet celebration, reflective of the calm focus that has been a hallmark of Shetty’s game this season.

 

Shetty had reached multiple finals over the past year including the Odisha Masters and Dutch Open but this win feels like a natural step forward in his promising career.

Tanvi’s grit shines despite final loss

While Shetty’s win brought joy, 16-year-old Tanvi Sharma’s run at the US Open ended with a runner-up finish in her first BWF World Tour final. Facing top seed Beiwen Zhang of the United States, Sharma pushed the experienced 34-year-old to three games before going down 11-21, 21-16, 10-21 in 46 minutes.

 

Sharma took some time to settle into the match with Zhang racing ahead in the first game. But the teenager’s fighting spirit came alive in the second as she played with aggression, taking an early lead and maintaining it despite Zhang’s efforts to claw back. Sharma’s sharp strokes and willingness to engage in long rallies helped her force a decider.

However, the physical demands of the week and Zhang’s experience proved too much in the final game. Sharma’s movement dipped as Zhang surged ahead and closed out the match. Despite the loss, Sharma’s run to the final showcased her immense potential and the rise of a star who possesses the potential to lead Indian Badminton in the upcoming years.