China: India endured a mixed opening day at the Badminton Asia Championships, with Lakshya Sen crashing out early, while PV Sindhu and Ayush Shetty kept the country’s campaign alive with hard-fought wins.
Lakshya Sen’s early exit shocks fans
Lakshya, one of India’s top medal hopes, suffered a straight-games defeat against Lee Cheuk Yiu.
- Score: 12-21, 19-21
- Match duration: 41 minutes
Despite coming in with good form after a strong showing at the All England Championships, Lakshya struggled to find rhythm. While he fought harder in the second game, Lee’s composure in crucial rallies sealed the upset.
PV Sindhu battles through a thriller
In contrast, Sindhu showcased her experience in a gritty three-game win over Wong Ling Ching.
- Score: 15-21, 21-11, 21-19
- Duration: 1 hour 7 minutes
After losing the first game, Sindhu bounced back strongly, dominating the second. The decider went down to the wire, but she held her nerve at 19-19, clinching the final two points to advance.
Ayush Shetty stuns world No. 7
The standout performance came from rising star Ayush Shetty, who pulled off a major upset by defeating Li Shi Feng.
- Score: 21-13, 21-16
- Opponent: World No. 7
Ayush showed remarkable composure:
- Took control after early exchanges
- Dominated mid-to-late phases of both games
- Displayed sharp attacking play and net control
He will next face Chi Yu Jen in the pre-quarterfinals.
Conclusion
While Lakshya Sen’s early exit was a setback, PV Sindhu’s resilience and Ayush Shetty’s breakthrough win ensured India remained firmly in contention at the Badminton Asia Championships. With momentum on their side, both players will look to build on their performances in the next rounds.