Ningbo: The Badminton Asia Championships (BAC) in Ningbo has delivered one of its biggest surprises, as India’s Ayush Shetty produced a stunning comeback victory to eliminate defending champion Kunlavut Vitidsarn and book his place in the men’s singles final.
Shetty, currently ranked world No. 25, showed remarkable resilience and composure to overturn a one-game deficit, defeating Thailand’s world No. 1 in a gripping semifinal encounter.
Men’s Singles: Ayush Shetty’s Breakthrough Moment
In a match that lasted 1 hour and 15 minutes, Ayush Shetty defeated Kunlavut Vitidsarn 10-21, 21-19, 21-17 to reach the biggest final of his career.
After losing the opening game convincingly, Shetty adjusted his tempo and began dictating rallies more effectively in the second game. His attacking intent and improved shot selection helped him edge a tight 21-19 win to level the match.
In the deciding game, Shetty maintained his momentum, capitalizing on key errors from Kunlavut to close out a memorable victory at 21-17.
This win not only ended Kunlavut’s title defense but also leveled their head-to-head record at 1-1.
Awaiting Shetty in the final is China’s Shi Yuqi, who delivered a dominant performance in the other semifinal.
Shi Yuqi, the world No. 2, defeated Chinese Taipei’s Chou Tien Chen 21-9, 21-13 in straight games, continuing his strong run of form. The victory extended Shi’s dominance in their rivalry, marking his ninth consecutive win and improving his overall head-to-head record to 15-5.
Women’s Singles: China vs Korea Final Showdown
In women’s singles, South Korea’s An Se Young continued her dominant run, defeating compatriot Sim Yu Jin 21-14, 21-9 in the semifinals.
China’s Wang Zhiyi secured her place in the final after a hard-fought three-game victory over Japan’s Akane Yamaguchi, winning 14-21, 21-9, 21-13.
The final now sets up a highly anticipated clash between An Se Young and Wang Zhiyi — two of the most consistent players on the tour.
Men’s Doubles: Korea Takes Control
South Korea dominated the men’s doubles semifinals, securing both spots in the final.
Top seeds Kim Won Ho and Seo Seung Jae defeated China’s He Ji Ting and Ren Xiang Yu 21-13, 22-20 in a high-quality contest.
In the other semifinal, Kang Min Hyuk and Ki Dong Ju edged Indonesia’s Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Shohibul Fikri in three games, winning 21-13, 14-21, 21-16.
This sets up an all-Korean final, highlighting their growing dominance in men’s doubles badminton.
Women’s Doubles: China Guarantees Title
China has secured the women’s doubles title even before the final, with both finalist pairs coming from the host nation.
Liu Sheng Shu and Tan Ning advanced after defeating Indonesia’s Amallia Cahaya Pratiwi and Siti Fadia Silva Ramadhanti 21-10, 21-12.
In the other semifinal, Li Yijing and Luo Xumin overcame Japan’s Yuki Fukushima and Mayu Matsumoto with a convincing 21-17, 21-17 victory.
The final will now be an all-China showdown, reinforcing their continued strength in women’s doubles.
Mixed Doubles: Korea Claims Title After Walkover
In mixed doubles, South Korea’s Kim Jae Hyeon and Jang Ha Jeong were crowned champions after their opponents, Thailand’s Dechapol Puavaranukroh and Supissara Paewsampran, were forced to withdraw due to injury before the final.
Earlier in the semifinals, the Korean pair defeated Japan’s Yuta Watanabe and Maya Taguchi 21-18, 21-11 to secure their place in the final.
The Thai pair had battled through a tough semifinal, defeating China’s Feng Yanzhe and Huang Dongping 21-19, 18-21, 22-20, before their unfortunate withdrawal.
China’s Strong Presence Continues
China’s influence across the tournament remains significant, particularly in women’s doubles and men’s singles.
With Shi Yuqi advancing to the men’s singles final and two pairs contesting the women’s doubles title, China once again demonstrates its depth and consistency on the international badminton stage.
Finals Set for High-Quality Showdowns
As the Badminton Asia Championships head into the finals, fans can expect thrilling encounters across all categories.
The men’s singles final between Ayush Shetty and Shi Yuqi stands out as a classic underdog-versus-favorite storyline, while the all-China and all-Korea finals highlight the dominance of traditional badminton powerhouses.
With titles on the line, the stage is set for a dramatic conclusion to one of the most competitive badminton tournaments of the year.
