Indian Shuttlers Ayush Shetty, Tanvi Sharma Advance to US Open Finals

Indian Shuttlers Shetty and Sharma Surge into US Open Finals

Hyderabad: Ayush Shetty delivered a stunning upset against world No. 6 Chou Tien Chen, while Tanvi Sharma made history as the youngest Indian female player to reach a BWF World Tour tournament final.

On Saturday evening in Iowa, the 20-year-old Ayush Shetty fought his way back from a set down to defeat Chou with a score of 21-23, 21-15, 21-14, securing his place in the US Open BWF Super-300 tournament final. Chou Tien Chen was formerly ranked world No. 2.

Earlier in the day, Tanvi Sharma defeated Polina Buhrova of Ukraine in straight sets, 21-14, 21-16. The sixteen-year-old needed only 34 minutes to overcome Buhrova, setting up a final match against US veteran and top seed Beiwen Zhang. Zhang, 34, advanced after defeating Line Christophersen of Denmark with a score of 18-21, 21-16, 21-15.

Tanvi Sharma, a rising star from the BAI’s National Centre of Excellence (NCE) in Guwahati, has been on a giant-killing spree, defeating several higher-ranked players en route to the final. She upset second seed Nguyen Thuy Linh of Hong Kong in the first round and former World Junior Champion Pitchamon Opatniputh in the second round.

Ayush Shetty, who hones his skills at the Prakash Padukone Badminton Academy in Bengaluru, is set to face Brian Young of Canada in the final. Shetty previously defeated Young at the Taipei Open Malaysia Masters last month. A victory here would crown him the first Indian to secure an international singles title this year.