Ayush Shetty storms into Badminton Asia final

India’s Ayush Shetty stormed into the final, assuring at least a silver with a stunning three-game win over top seed and defending champion Kunlavut Vitidsarn at the Badminton Asia Championships here on Saturday.

The world No. 25 rode on his superior attack and robust defence to script a sensational 10-21, 21-19, 21-17 comeback win over Vitidsarn, the Paris Olympic silver medallist and 2023 world champion.

He thus became the first Indian men’s singles player after Dinesh Khanna to reach the finals of the prestigious tournament.

Khanna remains the only Indian to win the men’s singles gold at the continental meet in 1965.

Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty won the title in 2023.

Ayush, the US Open Super 300 champion, will next face either Chinese Taipei’s fourth seed Chou Tien Chen or second seeded Chinese Shi Yu Qi in the summit clash.