New Delhi, August 17: Hosts India enjoyed a perfect opening day at the BWF World Championships 2026, with all five Indian entries in action advancing to the second round at the Indira Gandhi Stadium.
The biggest highlight was Ayush Shetty’s stunning upset of top seed and defending champion Shi Yuqi. The unseeded Indian, who had lost all three of his previous meetings against the Chinese star, produced a composed performance to win 21-14, 13-21, 21-19 in 73 minutes.
Ayush led 16-5 in the deciding game before Shi fought back and saved four match points. However, the 21-year-old kept his composure and converted the fifth to complete one of the biggest upsets of the tournament.
Earlier, former world champion PV Sindhu began her campaign with a comfortable 21-7, 21-11 win over Ireland’s Sofia Noble. Sindhu will face Canada’s Wen Yu Zhang in the second round.
India also enjoyed wins in both doubles events. MR Arjun and Hariharan Amsakarunan defeated Ireland’s Scott Guildea and Paul Reynolds 21-16, 6-4 (retired), while Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand beat Spain’s Paula Lopez and Lucia Rodriguez 21-9, 21-13.
The youngsters Kavipriya Selvam and Simran Singhi completed India’s perfect day with a 22-20, 21-14 victory over Spain’s Nikol Carulla and Carmen Maria Jimenez.
India’s Results – August 17
- Ayush Shetty bt Shi Yuqi: 21-14, 13-21, 21-19
- PV Sindhu bt Sofia Noble: 21-7, 21-11
- MR Arjun/Hariharan Amsakarunan bt Guildea/Reynolds: 21-16, 6-4 (ret.)
- Treesa Jolly/Gayatri Gopichand bt Lopez/Rodriguez: 21-9, 21-13
- Kavipriya Selvam/Simran Singhi bt Carulla/Jimenez: 22-20, 21-14
