Treesa Jolly-Gayatri Gopichand Advances to BWF World Championships Semi-Finals, Declares "The Momentum Continues"

In a thrilling quarter-final match at the BWF World Championships held in New Delhi, Indian badminton players Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand achieved a remarkable comeback victory against the formidable Chinese duo of Jia Yi Fan and Zhang Shu Xian, who are currently ranked fourth in the world. After dropping the first game, the Indian pair rallied to win the match with scores of 16-21, 21-15, and 21-13, securing India's first medal in women's doubles at the championships since 2011.

This victory not only marks a significant milestone for Treesa and Gayatri but also represents a historic moment for Indian badminton, as they become the first women's doubles team from the country to reach the medal rounds in over a decade. The last time India secured a medal in this category was when Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa won bronze in 2011. Following their intense 70-minute match, the duo expressed their excitement and determination to continue their journey in the tournament.

“We’re really happy that we converted this win into a semi-final and secured a medal, but it’s not stopping yet. There are matches coming tomorrow also,” Treesa stated, emphasizing their focus on the upcoming challenges. She also expressed gratitude towards their supporters, acknowledging the positive energy from the home crowd that fueled their performance.

During the match, the duo received crucial advice from their chief national coach, the legendary Pullela Gopichand. Treesa highlighted his emphasis on remaining calm and focused, which proved instrumental in their comeback. “From the start, he was telling us to be in the present moment and very calm, because that helped us score the points,” she noted. Gayatri echoed this sentiment, stating that maintaining composure was key to overcoming the challenges they faced during the match.

Having previously lost to the Chinese pair in their last three encounters, the Indian players were determined to change their fortunes. As they prepare for their semi-final match against the top-seeded Chinese team of Liu Sheng Shu and Tan Ning, both players are committed to replicating their calm approach. “We just want to stay calm and give our 100 percent,” Gayatri remarked, reflecting on their strategy for success.

As they continue to draw inspiration from past Indian champions, Treesa and Gayatri are poised to make their mark in the tournament, with the support of their coach and the enthusiastic home crowd behind them.