Ayush Shetty defeats Shi Yuqi in New Delhi; biggest win of his career

Ayush Shetty defeats Shi Yuqi in New Delhi; biggest win of his career

Ayush Shetty vs Shi Yuqi: Coach Sagar Chopda breaks down BWF World Championships 2026 upset

Ayush Shetty’s stunning Shi Yuqi upset: Coach breaks down the shot that sealed it

Coach Sagar Chopda explains the tactics behind Ayush Shetty’s victory over the defending world champion and the audacious shot that finally ended a nervy finish in New Delhi.

Ayush Shetty had watched four match points disappear against world No. 1 Shi Yuqi when he produced the most audacious shot of arguably the biggest win of his young career.

With the defending champion mounting a late fightback in the deciding game of their BWF World Championships 2026 opener in New Delhi on Monday, Ayush Shetty shaped to flick the shuttle towards the Chinese star’s forehand before changing direction at the last possible moment.

It caught Shi Yuqi wrong-footed and sealed a stunning opening-round victory for the Indian badminton player , who is ranked 22nd in the world.

For Ayush Shetty’s badminton coach Sagar Chopda, the choice of shot under immense pressure said as much about the youngster as the result itself.

“I am extremely happy the way Ayush played that last shot. I mean, to play that at that moment speaks volumes of his talent,” Chopda told Badminton Association of India’s YouTube channel in a post-match breakdown.

“He has always been good at that shot. If you look throughout the match, he played at least three or four times, even on the first service receiving. You know, in the third game, he started off with that shot. And again, in the third game, he played that one more time.

“So he has always been good at that shot. It is something that as kids, maybe you pick it up. It’s not that as coaches, you can teach them this.”

The winner was particularly significant given how the closing stages had unfolded.

Ayush Shetty had become “a little jittery”, according to Chopda, while Shi Yuqi had begun taking control around the net and saved four match points to threaten a dramatic turnaround.

“If he had probably kept the shuttle at the net, Shi was ready for it. And that is how Shi scored almost all his 10 previous points,” Chopda explained.

“He was much more alert on the net than Ayush. And Ayush was a little jittery. But as soon as he played that shot, I knew that that was the winning moment.”

How Ayush Shetty’s tactics worked against Shi Yuqi

The final flourish may have provided the defining image, but Chopda believed the foundations for the upset had been laid much earlier.

Shetty entered the match relaxed and, working with Indonesian coach Irwansyah Adi Pratama, had prepared a tactical plan designed to prevent him from becoming overly reliant on his attacking power.

“He used his net shots really well. From the back of the court, he was not in a hurry to hit those hard smashes. He has been very erratic with that shot,” Chopda said.

“So the main thing that we told him was to expect high lifts from Shi. And don’t get hassled by taking that jump and hitting it.”

Instead, Ayush Shetty varied his approach from the back of the court and looked to create openings rather than forcing the attack.

“He used that really, really well. He mixed his clears because he was playing from the better side. So he used his clears and lifts very well, opening up the court,” Chopda said.

“Overall, it was 10-on-10 in the first game. There was never an ounce of doubt in his shots.”

Chopda also credited Irwansyah, who had a lengthy discussion with Ayush Shetty on the eve of the match, for helping formulate the tactical approach.

“Coach Irwansyah has been helping him tactically. And they had a long chat yesterday,” Chopda said.

“If you also look at Ayush’s defence today, Shi is one of the best players in the world to have variations from everywhere. From the back of the court, from the net. So Ayush was ready for it. He was really good with his defence.”

Chopda, who has worked with Ayush Shetty for several years at the academy in Bengaluru, rated the victory as the best of his ward’s career so far.

Former India badminton player and coach Vimal Kumar was also watching from the stands and, according to Chopda, offered important observations during the contest.

But after knocking out the defending champion and top seed in the very first round, Chopda does not want Ayush Shetty dwelling on the achievement for long.

Recovery and preparation for the next round are now the priority.

The biggest win of Shetty’s career may have arrived, but as his coach stressed after the upset, the job at the World Badminton Championships is not done yet.

Badminton World Championships 2026 order of play and results