New Delhi, August 19, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
India enjoyed mixed fortunes at the BWF World Championships 2026 on Wednesday as former champion PV Sindhu and rising star Ayush Shetty progressed to the pre-quarterfinals, while Lakshya Sen and Unnati Hooda bowed out at the Indira Gandhi Stadium in New Delhi.
Ninth seed Sindhu overcame Canada’s Zhang Wen Yu 21-16, 21-17 in the women’s singles second round. She will next face third seed Wang Zi Yi of China, who defeated Malaysia’s Karuoathevan Letshanaa 21-16, 21-9.
Ayush needed only 26 minutes to dispatch Sri Lanka’s Dumindu Abeywickrama 21-8, 21-10. The 2023 world junior champion will meet Indonesia’s 11th seed Alwi Farhan in the last 16 after Farhan defeated Finland’s Joakim Oldorff 21-12, 21-9.
Two-time World Championships bronze medallists Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty also advanced to the last 16 without taking the court after Scotland’s Alexander Dunn and his partner conceded a walkover because of Dunn’s injury.
Lakshya, seeded 14th, suffered a 19-21, 21-19, 21-17 defeat against 18-year-old American Gareth Tan in a 73-minute battle. The Indian took the opening game but was unable to contain Tan’s powerful attacking play.
Unnati’s debut ended in heartbreak as she squandered two match points against 13th seed Michelle Li of Canada before losing 11-21, 21-9, 23-21. Unnati had opportunities to close out the contest but Li held her nerve to seal victory with a down-the-line smash.
In mixed doubles, 15th seeds Dhruv Kapila and Tanisha Crasto advanced with a comfortable 21-11, 21-11 win over Macau’s Leong Lok Chong and Ng Weng Chi.
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