BWF World Championships: Ayush was at his attacking best against an aggressive Yuqi

India`s Ayush Shetty, left, shakes hands with China`s Shi Yuqi after defeating him in the round of 64 men’s singles badminton match during the BWF World Championships, at IGI Stadium, in New Delhi. Pic/PTI

Four months can make a world of difference in top-level badminton.

On April 12, Ayush suffered a 8-21, 10-21 defeat to China's World No. 1 Shi Yuqi in the Badminton Asia Championships final in Ningbo, settling for silver.

The 21-year-old Indian had beaten 2023 world champion Kunlavut Vitidsarn of Thailand 10-21, 21-19, 21-17 a day earlier, and was understandably stiff and sore against Yuqi in his home environment.

On Monday, Ayush got his revenge, edging the defending champion and top seed 21-14, 13-21, 21-19 in 73 minutes of exhilarating badminton at the Indira Gandhi Stadium in New Delhi.

Ayush played the match of his life against Yuqi. The Indian was at his attacking best throughout, keeping Yuqi, normally an aggressive player himself, at the receiving end of his thunderous smashes, delectable netplay and resolute defence.

The victory was all the more meritorious because Ayush had to play from the ‘bad' side in the second half of the decider, with the drift carrying the shuttle out towards Yuqi's baseline. From 6-16 down, the Chinese ace fought back to 19-20 and came within a point of forcing deuce. Ayush, though, held his nerve to complete a stunning victory and send Yuqi crashing out in Round One.

Many badminton aficionados had guffawed heartily when mid-day had run the headline ‘Ayush Shetty vs Lakshya Sen final' with my World Badminton Championships preview recently. One wonders if that laugh is still on.