India’s Ayush Shetty produced a remarkable performance to book a place in the final of the Badminton Asia Championships on Saturday, overcoming top seed and defending champion Kunlavut Vitidsarn in a thrilling three-match encounter. The win ensures that Ayush returns with at least a silver medal.Ayush, world number 25, relied on a combination of sharp attacking play and solid defense to overturn a sluggish start to claim a 10-21, 21-19, 21-17 win over the Paris Olympic silver medalist and 2023 world champion. In doing so, he became the first Indian men’s singles player since Dinesh Khanna to reach the final of the tournament. Khanna remains the only Indian to secure gold in the event, having done so in 1965, while Satwiksiraj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty secured the doubles title in 2023.
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Despite a late counter-attack from Vitidsarn, Ayush remained calm, created several match chances and eventually sealed a memorable victory with a pinpoint smash down the line to complete a stunning comeback.
