Ayush Shetty Upsets World No 9 Kodai Naraoka At Hong Kong Open Quarterfinals

Indian shuttler Ayush Shetty created a major upset at the Hong Kong Open Super 500 by defeating Japan's Kodai Naraoka, the 2023 World Championships silver medallist and world No. 9, in a thrilling three-game match lasting 72 minutes. Shetty, 20, showcased aggressive play and superior court coverage to win 21-19, 12-21, 21-14, advancing to his first Super 500 quarterfinal where he will face compatriot Lakshya Sen. Lakshya Sen, who ended a six-month quarterfinal drought, came back from a game down to defeat fellow Indian HS Prannoy 15-21, 21-18, 21-10 in an intense all-Indian Round of 16 match. Sen has battled injuries and inconsistent form this season but remains a top competitor, having finished fourth at the Paris Olympics and reached semifinals in notable tournaments earlier this year. Additionally, the Indian men's doubles pair of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, fresh from a World Championships bronze, also advanced to the quarterfinals with a hard-fought win over a Thai duo. The strong performances by Indian shuttlers at the Hong Kong Open signal a rising presence on the global badminton stage.