World Championships Draw: Ayush Faces Shi Yuqi, Sindhu and Lakshya Get Easier Openers
Sindhu and Lakshya receive favourable first round opponents, while Satwik-Chirag begin with a bye as India eyes a successful campaign on home soil.
New Delhi: The BWF World Championships draw has presented a balanced challenge for India’s badminton contingent, with experienced campaigners PV Sindhu and Lakshya Sen securing relatively comfortable opening-round matches, while rising men’s singles star Ayush Shetty faces defending champion Shi Yu Qi of China in a blockbuster first round clash.
India will host the prestigious tournament for the first time in 17 years, with the championship scheduled at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi from August 17 to 23.
Former world champion PV Sindhu, chasing a record sixth World Championships medal, will launch her campaign against Ireland’s Sophia Nobel. The two-time Olympic medallist has avoided several top contenders in the early rounds, improving her prospects of making another deep run in the tournament.
Lakshya Sen, who claimed bronze at the 2021 edition, will begin against Austria’s Collins Valentine Filimon. If he advances, the Indian could meet Thailand’s second seed Kunlavut Vitidsarn in the pre-quarterfinal stage in what is expected to be one of the toughest encounters of his campaign.
The biggest challenge among India’s singles players falls on 20-year-old Ayush Shetty, who has been drawn against reigning world champion Shi Yu Qi. Although Ayush has yet to defeat the Chinese ace in three previous meetings, he has shown significant improvement in recent contests and will hope to spring an early upset.
India’s premier men’s doubles pair, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, received a first-round bye as fifth seeds. They will face either Scotland’s Alexander Dunn and Adam Pringle or Thailand’s Chaloempon Charoenkitamorn and Worrapol Thongsa-Nga in the second round before a likely meeting with Indonesia’s Raymond Indra and Nikolaus Joaquin.
Chief national coach Pullela Gopichand expressed satisfaction with the overall draw, believing the Indian contingent has received favourable opportunities despite Ayush’s difficult assignment.
According to Gopichand, facing Shi Yu Qi in the opening round may actually work in Ayush’s favour, as an upset victory would significantly open up his section of the draw. He also praised the youngster’s aggressive playing style and growing confidence on the international circuit.
The chief coach was equally optimistic about Lakshya Sen’s chances, describing him as a far more mature and complete player compared to when he won his maiden World Championships medal in 2021. Gopichand believes Lakshya now possesses the experience and confidence required to challenge the world’s best on any given day.
He further observed that the men’s singles competition is more evenly matched than in previous editions, making the race for medals highly competitive. In his view, both Lakshya and Ayush have realistic opportunities to reach the podium if they perform consistently.
Among other Indian singles players, Unnati Hooda will take on Myanmar’s Thet Htar Thuzar in the opening round and could meet Canada’s Michelle Li next.
In mixed doubles, seeded pair Dhruv Kapila and Tanisha Crasto received a first round bye and are projected to face China’s Guo Xin Wa and Chen Fang Hui in the pre-quarterfinals. Another Indian combination, Rohan Kapoor and G Ruthvika Shivani, will begin against Canada’s Jonathan Lai and Crystal Lai.
In women’s doubles, Commonwealth Games bronze medallists Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand will open against Spain’s Paula Lopez and Lucia Rodriguez, while Simran Singhi and Kavipriya Selvam face another Spanish pairing of Nikol Carulla and Carmen Jimenez.
The men’s doubles duo of MR Arjun and Hariharan will start their campaign against Ireland’s Scott Guildea and Paul Reynolds as India looks to make full use of home conditions in pursuit of multiple medals.
