‘Prepared to play World No.1’: Ayush Shetty ready for Shi Yuqi test at Worlds

Indian badminton sensation Ayush Shetty, standing 6'4", is set to face Chinese World No. 1 Shi Yuqi at the World Championships. The unseeded Shetty, who has lost the last three matches against Shi, including a lopsided defeat at the Asian Championship final, is prepared to take on the defending champion. National coach Pullela Gopichand believes Ayush will be surprised if Shi starts comfortably, while his coach Sagar Chopda notes that Shi may have seen the draw and regretted playing the tough first-round match.

Despite the challenging draw, Ayush remains confident, stating he has gotten mentally stronger since the Asian Championship. Both coaches emphasize the importance of a well-rounded game, mixing smashes with clears and drops. While Shi Yuqi has spent years focusing on his powerful smashes, Ayush's simple and effective approach may prove difficult for the Chinese star to counter.