Ayush Shetty shocks World No. 1 Shi Yuqi in first-round win

Ayush Shetty defeated World No. 1 and defending World champion Shi Yuqi in their first-round match on Monday, August 17, 2026, a result reported from New Delhi. The 20-year-old said, "Feeling really great, it’s a special win and I am really happy with the way I played today," and was left too drained to celebrate immediately.

Having recorded what the report described as one of his biggest victories on one of the sport’s biggest stages, Shetty’s triumph came after a three-game contest that swung widely. The two players split the opening games, and Shi mounted a recovery in the decider, erasing an 11-point deficit to push for a comeback before Shetty closed out the match.

Reflecting on his mindset, Shetty said: "I knew it would be tough and I would have to work hard. But I was mentally and physically prepared. I kept telling myself to calm down [in the 3rd game] because it getting a bit nervous. He was catching up, the momentum was with him and he was managing to return everything I did," he admitted.

Shi Yuqi acknowledged his opponent’s performance after the match. "There are no fitness issues or physical problems, Ayush played well and won," he smiled.

Discussing the third game specifically, Shi added: "The focus was on maintaining composure and preparing for tactical adjustments once the sides are switched and adapting strategy to use the drift to come back," he explained about the 3rd game.

A Reuters photograph accompanying the report showed Ayush Shetty celebrating after the victory over China's Yu Qi Shi; the image was credited to Reuters.