BWF World Championships 2026: Ayush Shetty Faces Tough Challenge in Round of 16; India’s Mixed Doubles Campaign Ends Ayush Shetty, the 11th-seeded Indian men’s singles player, suffered a narrow defeat in his Round of 16 clash against Indonesia’s Alwi Farhan, losing the first game 19-21. Farhan, who capitalized on his early momentum, maintained control throughout the match, leading 11-9 at the first interval. Despite Shetty’s efforts to regroup, Farhan’s composure in the closing stages secured the victory, putting Shetty in a precarious position as the second game began. The Indonesian player’s aggressive play and ability to maintain pressure proved decisive, leaving Shetty needing a strong response to stay in contention. Shetty’s loss marks a significant setback for India’s men’s singles hopes, especially following Lakshya Sen’s unexpected exit in the second round. Sen, the 2021 World Championships bronze medallist, was defeated 21-19, 19-21, 17-21 by USA’s Garret Tan, who outmaneuvered him with superior pace and tactical precision. Sen’s early departure left Ayush Shetty as India’s sole remaining contender in the men’s singles draw, making his Round of 16 match against Farhan a critical test of his resilience. Meanwhile, India’s women’s doubles team of Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand advanced to the quarterfinals with a convincing 21-16, 21-12 victory over Japan’s Rin Iwanaga and Kie Nakanishi. The Indian pair, seeded 11th, dominated the match with consistent rallies and strategic positioning, securing their place in the next round. Their progress highlights India’s strong showing in the women’s doubles category, where they have already advanced past the opening round.#lakshya_sen #ayush_shetty #garret_tan #alwi_farhan #treesa_jolly
