Badminton
BWF World C'ships Day 1: Ayush Shetty stuns world No. 1, PV Sindhu wins -Highlights
Catch all the highlights from the first day of the BWF World Championships in New Delhi, India, on Monday.
Ayush Shetty and PV Sindhu begin their campaign at 2026 BWF World Chamionships. (Photo Credits: BAI)
India is hosting the BWF World Championships for the first time in 17 years, and it started with the preliminary round at IG Indoor Stadium in New Delhi on Monday.
There were five Indian matches on the opening day, with PV Sindhu, Ayush Shetty, Treesa/Gayatri, Hariharan/Arjun and Kavipriya/ Simran in action.
Five-time world Medalist PV Sindhu began her campaign with a comfortable win against a much lower-ranked Irish shuttler, Sophia Noble, in the women's singles round of 64.
Meanwhile, the most exciting match of the day was between Ayush Shetty and defending champion China's Shi Yu Qi in the men's singles round of 64.
As it happened:
Live Updates
- 17 Aug 2026 5:39 PM IST
Sindhu gains a massive lead at the mid-game break
Game 1: PV Sindhu 11-3 Sophia Noble (IRE)
Noble is just lifting the shuttle on return, making it easier for Sindhu to play her aggressive shots. And Noble had no answers to any of her powerful smashes.
- 17 Aug 2026 5:36 PM IST
Noble has no answers to Sindhu's smashes; as the Indian running away with the game
Game-1: PV Sindhu 8-0 Sophia Noble (IRE)
- 17 Aug 2026 5:34 PM IST
Sindhu starts the game aggressively, winning three straight points on a direct sown the line smash.
Game-1: PV Sindhu 3-0 Sophia Noble (IRE)
- 17 Aug 2026 5:29 PM IST
Up Next: PV Sindhu Vs Sophia Noble (IRE)
The five-time world medalist PV Sindhu will begin her campaign against a much lower-ranked Irish shuttler.
The 141st-ranked Noble will try to put up a good fight against the experienced Indian shuttler in front of a loud away crowd on her debut.
- 17 Aug 2026 5:24 PM IST
Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand move to second round
Game-2: Treesa-Gayatri 21-13 López-Rodríguez (ESP)
A comfortable straight-game win for the Indian pair, as the Spanish duo could not keep up with the pressure from Treesa and Gayatri.
A good confidence booster for the young Indian duo, who have been struggling with form and fitness for some time.
- 17 Aug 2026 5:21 PM IST
A good spell of points for the Spanish pair, but they end with another service error
Game-2: Treesa-Gayatri 18-12 López-Rodríguez (ESP)
- 17 Aug 2026 5:18 PM IST
Indian pair enters the second mid-game break with a slight lead
Game-2: Treesa-Gayatri 11-7 López-Rodríguez (ESP)
Treesa and Gayatri continued their dominant play and gained another good lead, forcing their opponents to try something extra, which resulted in an error.
- 17 Aug 2026 5:12 PM IST
A better start to the second game for Spain; but still trails by 2 points
Game-2: Treesa-Gayatri 6-4 López-Rodríguez (ESP)
López and Rodríguez showed better compsure in the second game, keeping the margin in touch and reducing their unforced errors.
- 17 Aug 2026 5:06 PM IST
Treesa-Gayatri takes the early advantage; wins the first game dominantly
Game-1: Treesa-Gayatri 21-9 López-Rodríguez (ESP)
The Indian duo made light work of the first game, dominating the rallies and finding accurate winners, which, combined with regular unforced errors from the Spanish pair, helped them.
- 17 Aug 2026 5:03 PM IST
Indian pair has started playing aggressive smashes; further extends the lead
Game-1: Treesa-Gayatri 17-7 López-Rodríguez (ESP)
