India's rising badminton star Ayush Shetty announced his arrival on the big stage with a gritty performance against the world's best, even in defeat. The 20-year-old pushed World No. 1 and reigning World Champion Shi Yuqi of China to his limits before going down 21-18, 18-21, 21-12 in a thrilling 70-minute first-round encounter at the Malaysia Open 2026 on Thursday.
A Glimpse of Future Potential
While the scoreline shows a three-set loss, the match was a testament to Shetty's rapidly growing prowess. He did not just participate; he competed fiercely, forcing the Chinese maestro to dig deep. The match was so intense that the Malaysian crowd got behind the young Indian, their supportive chants growing louder as Shi Yuqi sensed trouble. The Chinese champion himself acknowledged Shetty's effort after the match, a significant nod from the top of the badminton hierarchy.
Shetty's strategy was clear from the start. He used a clever mix of length variations, pushing Shi Yuqi to the backlines with deep lobs and then catching him off-guard with delicate drops at the net. This yo-yo tactic helped him build an early 9-6 lead in the first set. His natural deception even wrong-footed the World No. 1, extending his lead to 11-8 at one point.
Areas for Growth and a Costly Fade
However, the match also highlighted areas where the youngster can improve. Closing out sets proved challenging. After being neck-and-neck at 16-16 in the opener, Shetty conceded the crucial last five points. Furthermore, in extended rallies where he displayed excellent defensive hustle, the transition from retrieving to launching an offensive attack was not always seamless, allowing Yuqi to dominate the rally's conclusion.
The most telling phase was the decider. After matching the champion blow-for-blow for two sets, Shetty's physical reserves seemed to dip. From a competitive position, he quickly fell behind 7-13. His body language, which had been resilient, began to show signs of frustration—tapping his racket on the ground after narrow misses. Against an opponent of Shi Yuqi's caliber, who expertly ramped up the pace, this mental and physical fade proved decisive in the third set which ended 21-12.
Lakshya Sen's Heartbreaking Collapse
In another court, experienced campaigner Lakshya Sen suffered a far more frustrating exit. Facing the dangerous Lee Cheuk Yiu of Hong Kong, Sen seemed in complete control of the first set, building a commanding 20-16 lead and needing just one point for a 1-0 advantage.
In a stunning collapse, Sen then lost six consecutive points to surrender the set 22-20. The implosion was a case of impetuosity overruling cool-headed finishing. Lee, a masterful counter-puncher, capitalized on the opening and carried the momentum into the second set, winning the match 22-20, 21-15. Despite being ranked closely (Sen at World No. 13, Lee at 18), the Hong Kong player's aggressive, speedy game overwhelmed Sen at the critical juncture.
While Sen's focus may be on the upcoming India Open, the missed opportunity for a Super 1000 quarterfinal will sting. The match was a stark reminder of the fine margins at the top level.
For Ayush Shetty, this performance is a massive confidence booster. He has demonstrated that his power-based game can trouble the very best. The road ahead involves building physical endurance for three-set marathons and maintaining a steely composure throughout. His performance in Kuala Lumpur signals that Indian badminton's new 'power generation' is ready to make some serious noise in the 2026 season.
