PV Sindhu’s Exit and Indian Doubles Upsets Highlight BWF World Championships Day 4

Day 4 of the BWF World Championships produced a dramatic Round of 16, with top seeds advancing, major upsets shaking the draw and several three-game battles keeping fans on the edge of their seats.

No quarter given as Wang Zhi Yi 🇨🇳 rivals Pusarla V. Sindhu 🇮🇳.#BWFWorldChampionships #NewDelhi2026 pic.twitter.com/aa2GgrSqSO

— BWF (@bwfmedia) August 20, 2026

In Women’s Singles, China’s third seed Wang Zhiyi overcame two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu 21-11, 15-21, 21-17 in a thrilling contest. The result ended India’s singles campaign at the championships. Former world champion Akane Yamaguchi progressed comfortably against Korea’s Sim Yu-jin, while Thailand’s Pornpawee Chochuwong pulled off one of the biggest upsets of the day by defeating Olympic champion Chen Yufei 15-21, 25-23, 21-17.

Ayush Shetty 🇮🇳 takes on Alwi Farhan 🇮🇩 for a spot in the quarterfinals.#BWFWorldChampionships #NewDelhi2026 pic.twitter.com/1vrb3y3cPL

— BWF (@bwfmedia) August 20, 2026

In Men’s Singles, defending champion Kunlavut Vitidsarn advanced in emphatic fashion, beating USA’s Garret Tan 21-10, 21-10. Denmark’s Anders Antonsen survived a demanding three-game contest against France’s Toma Junior Popov, while Japan’s Kodai Naraoka fought back from a game down to defeat China’s Li Shifeng. Ayush Shetty was knocked out of the 2026 BWF World Championships He suffered a straight-games defeat (21-19, 21-11) against Indonesia’s Alwi Farhan in the men’s singles Round of 16.

Astrup/Rasmussen 🇩🇰 clash against Liang/Wang 🇨🇳.#BWFWorldChampionships #NewDelhi2026 pic.twitter.com/DFD2D9m1gB

— BWF (@bwfmedia) August 20, 2026

The Doubles events also delivered major drama. India’s Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand stunned seventh seeds Rin Iwanaga and Kie Nakanishi in straight games to book their place in the Women’s Doubles quarterfinals.

📽️ Satwik-Chirag's winning moment 💪🏾#SmashForIndia #BWFWorldChampionships #NewDelhi2026 pic.twitter.com/nwWXdg3hQi

— BAI Media (@BAI_Media) August 20, 2026

In Men’s Doubles, India’s Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty survived a fierce Malaysian challenge from Junaidi Arif and Roy King Yap. The Indian pair battled back to win 21-23, 21-19, 21-17 and secure their quarterfinal berth.

With the Round of 16 now complete, the field has been reduced to the elite eight across all categories. The quarterfinals promise even greater intensity, with title contenders, rising stars and giant-killers all chasing a place on the podium.