Four months can make a world of difference in top-level <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/sports/other-sports/article/sindhu-compares-monkey-whisperers-at-world-cships-in-delhi-to-wimbledons-hawk-rufus-23644542" rel="nofollow">badminton</a>.
On April 12, Ayush suffered a 8-21, 10-21 defeat to China&rsquo;s World No. 1 Shi Yuqi in the Badminton Asia Championships final in Ningbo, settling for silver.&nbsp;
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 &lsquo;bad&rsquo; side in the second half of the decider, with the drift carrying the shuttle out towards Yuqi&rsquo;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 &lsquo;<a href="https://www.mid-day.com/sports/other-sports/article/badminton-asia-championships-ayush-shetty-defeats-lin-shi-feng-pv-sindhu-hs-prannoy-too-secure-victories-23624822" rel="nofollow">Ayush Shetty</a> vs Lakshya Sen final&rsquo; with my World Badminton Championships preview recently. One wonders if that laugh is still on.

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

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

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

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