Ayush Shetty brought Kodai Naraoka crashing back to earth at LI-NING Hong Kong Open 2025 – just a day after the Japanese showed defending champion Viktor Axelsen the door.

After splitting the first two games, Shetty seized control in the decider with a blistering start that rattled the fifth seed. Naraoka’s focus wavered and unforced errors crept in, allowing Shetty to capitalise and close out the match 19-21 21-12 21-14 in 72 minutes.

“He has a good defence so I needed to break through it, keep the attack on,” said the 20-year-old Shetty. “Starting strong in the third game was crucial, I was on the better side of the court. The hall’s a bit windy but I’m loving it here.”

Shetty’s recent form has been impressive. After clinching the US Open in June, he now finds himself in his first Super 500 quarterfinal – on debut at this tournament. On the other side of the net tomorrow would be good friend Lakshya Sen, who overcame another Indian H.S. Prannoy 15-21 21-18 21-10.

“We are going for dinner tonight, I’m not sure we will speak about the match,” smiled Shetty. “I played him recently at a domestic tournament and he won in three games. Hopefully, I can flip the result this time.”

Another epic clash in women’s singles resulted in an 80-minute marathon between third seed Pornpawee Chochuwong and Michelle Li. The Canadian prevailed 21-12 21-19 23-21 in the longest match of the day.

“It was tough to stay focused, especially with fatigue setting in after over an hour on court,” said Li. “In the end, it was about patience and willingness to take risks,” said Li, whose victory sets up an all-Pan American quarterfinal with Beiwen Zhang.

OTHER HIGHLIGHTS

• Newly crowned women’s doubles world champions Liu Sheng Shu/Tan Ning were upset by Rui Hirokami/Sayaka Hobara 12-21 21-19 21-16.
• World No.4 mixed pair Dechapol Puavaranukroh/Supissara Paewsampran fell to Indonesia’s Adnan Maulana/Indah Cahya Sari Jamil – ranked 29 places below them.
• With second seeds Goh Sze Fei/Nur Izzuddin and fifth seeds Man Wei Chong/Tee Kai Wun bowing out, Malaysia’s men’s doubles hopes now rest on Junaidi Arif/Yap Roy King. Top seeds Aaron Chia/Soh Wooi Yik were eliminated in the first round on Tuesday.

→ Results (Day 3)

→ Order of play (Quarterfinals)