It’s a special win and I am really happy with the way I played today: Ayush Shetty

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Ayush Shetty celebrates after winning his first round match against China's Yu Qi Shi. | Photo Credit: Reuters

Having registered one of his biggest victories on the biggest of stages, Ayush Shetty was too drained to celebrate his win over World No. 1 and defending World champion Shi Yuqi on Monday (August 17, 2026).

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“Feeling really great, it’s a special win and I am really happy with the way I played today,” was all the 20-year-old could manage when asked to express his emotions. The match had been a roller-coaster, the two players sharing a game each and Yuqi fighting back from an 11-point deficit in the decider to come within striking distance of a great escape. For Shetty, it was escaping a massive choke.

“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.

Yuqi, on his part, was sporting enough to credit Shetty’s play for the result. “There are no fitness issues or physical problems, Ayush played well and won,” he smiled. “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.

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