India’s rising badminton player Ayush Shetty is set to compete against China’s Shi Yu Qi in the men’s singles final of the Badminton Asia Championships on Sunday. The 20-year-old has emerged as a standout performer in the event, defeating top-ranked opponents and positioning himself for a potential breakthrough victory that could elevate his career and boost Indian badminton.
In the semifinals, Shetty displayed remarkable determination by upsetting the world No. 1, Kunlavut Vitidsarn, in a three-set match. After losing the first set decisively, he mounted a comeback with strategic aggression and better rally management to secure the win with scores of 10-21, 21-19, 21-17.
Meanwhile, Shi Yu Qi advanced smoothly to the final with a straight-sets victory over Chou Tien Chen from Chinese Taipei, 21-9, 21-13. He maintained dominance through precise net skills and control of the game’s pace.
The final is scheduled for Sunday, April 12, 2026, starting at 1:00 PM IST. Viewers can stream it live on Badminton Asia’s official Facebook and YouTube channels. There is no television broadcast available in India.
Shi Yu Qi holds a 2-0 advantage in their head-to-head record, with their most recent clash at the Malaysia Open in January going to three sets, indicating Shetty’s growing competitiveness. Shetty may find motivation from compatriot Lakshya Sen’s recent win over Shi Yu Qi at the All England Championships, showing that the Chinese player is vulnerable.
