India's Ayush Shetty beat world No.1 Kunlavut Vitidsarn on Saturday to reach the final of the Badminton Asia Championships and secure at least a silver medal. The 20-year-old's comeback win marked one of the biggest results of his career.
Ranked world No.25, Shetty recovered after losing the opening game to beat the top seed and defending champion 10-21, 21-19, 21-17. He used attacking play and disciplined defence to overturn the match against the Paris Olympic silver medallist and 2023 world champion.
The result is significant for Indian badminton. Shetty became the first Indian men's singles player since Dinesh Khanna to reach the final of the tournament. Khanna remains the only Indian to win men's singles gold at the event after his title in 1965.
Giant Run
Shetty has beaten a series of higher-ranked opponents during the tournament. Before defeating Vitidsarn, he knocked out world No.4 Jonatan Christie in the quarter-finals, world No.6 Chi Yu Jen in the round of 16 and world No.7 Li Shi Feng in the round of 32.
India Mark
India has also enjoyed recent success at the tournament through the 2023 men's doubles title won by Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty.
Final Battle
Shetty, the US Open Super 300 champion, will play either Chou Tien Chen or Shi Yu Qi in the final as he looks to complete a breakthrough week with the title.
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