Ayush Shetty advanced to the quarter-finals of the Australian Open after a straight sets victory over world number nine Kodai Naraoka, winning 21-17, 21-16 in a match that lasted 68 minutes. The win marks Shetty’s second success against Naraok this year, having previously beaten him at the Hong Kong Open. As a result, Shetty will face India’s Lakshya Sen in the all-India quarter-finals.
Shetty’s composed performance was defined by his control in the closing stages of both games. He broke away from 18-17 in the opening game to go up 21-17, and rallied from 14-all in the second to finish with a decisive five-point burst. The run of points underlined his ability to handle the pressure against high-profile opposition and secure back-to-back victories over Naraoka in the calendar year.
The top men’s doubles pair of Satwiksiraj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty also booked their quarter-final spot by defeating Su Ching Heng and Wu Guan Xun with a comprehensive 21-18, 21-11 win. The Indian duo, seeded first in the tournament, maintained control throughout the match, especially in the second game where they opened up a significant lead and closed effectively. Their next challenge will be the fifth-seeded Indonesian pair of Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Shohibul Fikri.
In the singles draw, HS Prannoy ended early after a straight games defeat to Indonesia’s Farhan Alwi, losing 19-21, 10-21. Prannoy continued his streak of early tournament exits in 2024 as he is yet to advance past the pre-quarterfinals in any competition this season. His latest loss adds to a tough year for the veteran shuttler.
Prannoy’s campaign began with a hard-fought victory over Yohanes Saut Marcellyn in the previous round. After ending the opening match 6-21, Prannoy recovered to win the next two matches 21-12, 21-17 but could not carry the momentum into his next match against Alwi. His struggle to find consistency has been a recurring theme throughout the season.
Shetty’s tactical discipline was evident against Narao. In both matches, he managed to win important points late, which proved to be the deciding factor. The ability to string together back-to-back points at key moments allowed Shetty to overcome any opposition and effectively close out the match. Its performance indicates increasing maturity in high-pressure scenarios.
Satwik and Chirag’s dominance was built on strong serving and attacking play, especially in the second game where they quickly increased their lead. Their control at the net and sharp reflexes ensured a minimum of errors and constant pressure on the opponent. The duo will need to maintain this form against higher ranked pairs in the coming rounds.
– The end
Published on:
November 20, 2025
