Can Ayush and Lakshya Create an All-Indian Quarterfinal at the Australian Open Super 500?
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Synopsis
In an electrifying day at the Australian Open Super 500, young Indian shuttlers Ayush Shetty and Lakshya Sen advanced to the quarterfinals, setting up a thrilling all-Indian matchup. With seasoned players like H.S. Prannoy and Kidambi Srikanth exiting early, the spotlight now shines on the rising stars of Indian badminton.
Key Takeaways
- Ayush Shetty's impressive win over world No. 9 Kodai Naraoka.
- Lakshya Sen secures a spot after a challenging match against Chi Yu Jen.
- Both young players are set to face each other in the quarterfinals.
- Veterans H.S. Prannoy and Kidambi Srikanth exit early.
- In men's doubles, Satwik and Chirag advance smoothly.
Sydney, Nov 20 (NationPress) Ayush Shetty and Lakshya Sen advanced to the quarterfinals of the Australian Open Super 500 on Thursday, setting the stage for an exciting all-Indian showdown in Sydney, while seasoned players H.S. Prannoy and Kidambi Srikanth faced early exits.
Ayush, who has been climbing the ranks since winning the US Open Super 300 title this year, achieved one of the most significant victories of his burgeoning career. The 20-year-old defeated the fourth seed and world No. 9 Kodai Naraoka with scores of 21-17, 21-16 in a demanding 68-minute match, marking his second consecutive win over the Japanese player this season.
The first game was tightly contested, with Ayush maintaining his composure from a precarious 18-17 position to score three straight points. He then accelerated in the second game, pulling ahead from a 14-all tie with a five-point streak to clinch the match.
Next up for Ayush is the seventh seed Lakshya Sen, who triumphed over Chi Yu Jen of Chinese Taipei with scores of 21-17, 13-21, 21-13, avenging his earlier defeat at the Malaysia Open this year. Lakshya started strong, taking a commanding 14-4 lead in the first game before Chi rallied late.
After dropping the second game, the Indian player regrouped effectively, stringing together seven consecutive points from a 7-7 tie in the decider to secure his spot in the quarterfinals.
Unfortunately, it was a disappointing day for veteran players Prannoy and Srikanth. Prannoy, who had fought through three games in his opener on Wednesday, struggled to keep pace with eighth seed Alwi Farhan, losing 19-21, 10-21 in 42 minutes. Srikanth, still searching for his rhythm despite finishing as the runner-up at the Malaysia Masters earlier this season, fell 20-22, 16-21 to Japan's Shogo Ogawa.
In the men's doubles, top seeds Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty effortlessly advanced to the quarterfinals with a dominant 21-18, 21-11 victory over Su Ching Heng and Wu Guan Xun from Chinese Taipei. They are set to face the fifth-seeded Indonesian pair of Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Shohibul Fikri next.
Point of View
The performance of young Indian players like Ayush Shetty and Lakshya Sen at the Australian Open Super 500 is a promising sign for the future of Indian badminton. Their ability to overcome higher-ranked opponents showcases the depth of talent in the country. While senior players faced challenges, the emerging stars are certainly worth watching as they represent the nation with pride.
NationPress
20/11/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the players advancing to the quarterfinals?
Ayush Shetty and Lakshya Sen have both advanced to the quarterfinals.
What was the outcome of the matches involving Prannoy and Srikanth?
Both H.S. Prannoy and Kidambi Srikanth were eliminated early in the tournament.
What was Ayush Shetty's significant victory?
Ayush Shetty defeated fourth seed Kodai Naraoka in a remarkable match.
Who will Ayush face next?
Ayush Shetty will face Lakshya Sen in the quarterfinals.
How did Satwik and Chirag perform in the men's doubles?
Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty won their match convincingly.
