New Delhi, Aug. 18 -- "I will beat Shi Yuqi on August 17." Ayush Shetty had it written on a piece of paper and has been waking up to the scribbled note by his bedside every morning for the last 10 days. But having a world champion on the breakfast table and executing a terrific game plan on court against a formidable opponent-a defending champion and top seed on the world's biggest stage at home-requires courage, skill and a calm demeanour. Ayush brought all that together for a sensational upset of Yuqi, 21-14, 13-21, 21-19, in front of a screaming home crowd in the first round of the BWF World Championships at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium here. Shetty surely gave India an explosive start to the World Championships. Through the thrilling 73-minute contest, Shetty showed brilliant control until his nerves came into play in the home stretch, when he had five match points in his pocket at 20-15. Yuqi saved four. The raucous crowd fell silent as Yuqi sensed the nervousness of his young rival and looked to close out. Eventually, Shetty got the winner, a gentle push to the back. Shetty did not break into a celebration; he just broke into a smile. Relief was written all over his face. The fans in the stands - all on their feet by then - went berserk, drowning the big arena with their noise as the Chinese star left shell-shocked. "It's a great feeling. It's special. I am super happy with the way I played," said Shetty. "I knew it would be a tough match and I would have to work hard against the top seed. But I was mentally and physically prepared." "I was getting a bit nervous towards the finish. He was catching up, got the momentum. Everything I did, he somehow managed to return. I told myself to be aggressive and calm," he said. Ranked world No. 22, Shetty has met Shi Yuqi twice before. His brilliant run to the final of the Asian Championships this year was stopped by Yuqi. That was also a breakout moment for the Mangalore boy, whose six-foot-five-inch frame, steep smashes and strong defence reminded Viktor Axelsen of his younger days....