New Delhi: Indian badminton stars Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand have assured India of a medal at the BWF World Championships 2026 after producing a stunning comeback victory over China’s fourth-seeded pair Jia Yi Fan and Zhang Shu Xian in the women’s doubles quarterfinals.
The unseeded Indian duo defeated the Chinese pair 16-21, 21-15, 21-13 in a thrilling contest that lasted one hour and nine minutes at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi. The victory sent Treesa and Gayatri into the semifinals and guaranteed them at least a bronze medal.
Stunning Comeback Against Chinese Pair
Treesa and Gayatri did not have the ideal start to the quarterfinal, losing the opening game 16-21.
However, the Indian pair responded strongly in the second game, improving their attack, net play and court coverage. They took the second game 21-15 to force a deciding third game.
Carrying that momentum into the decider, Treesa and Gayatri maintained control and eventually closed out the final game 21-13 to complete one of the biggest victories of their World Championships campaign.
The win was particularly significant because Jia Yi Fan and Zhang Shu Xian entered the tournament as the fourth seeds, while the Indian combination was unseeded.
India Ends 15-Year Wait in Women’s Doubles
Treesa and Gayatri have now become only the second Indian women’s doubles pair to win a medal at the BWF World Championships.
India’s previous women’s doubles medal came 15 years ago in 2011, when Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa won bronze at the World Championships in London.
The latest achievement therefore marks a major moment for Indian women’s doubles badminton and adds Treesa and Gayatri to an exclusive list of Indian World Championships medallists.
Their run also ensures that India continues its impressive streak of winning at least one medal at the World Championships since 2011.
Remarkable Return After Injury Setback
The achievement is even more impressive considering Treesa’s difficult start to the year.
She suffered a serious ankle injury while training ahead of the Asia Badminton Championships and Uber Cup. Medical examination reportedly revealed muscle and ligament injuries, forcing her through a lengthy rehabilitation process.
Treesa and Gayatri later returned to international competition, playing tournaments including the Indonesia Open and US Open before winning the Philippine International Challenge earlier this month.
Their World Championships medal represents a major turnaround following that injury setback.
Home Crowd Plays Its Part
Playing the World Championships on home soil in New Delhi has also provided an additional boost for the Indian pair.
Treesa and Gayatri credited the energetic home crowd for supporting them during their dramatic quarterfinal comeback. The atmosphere became particularly important after they dropped the opening game and needed to shift momentum against their experienced Chinese opponents.
The victory sparked emotional celebrations on court as the Indian pair realised they had secured their first World Championships medal.
Tough Semifinal Challenge Ahead
Treesa and Gayatri’s campaign is not over yet.
They are scheduled to face China’s top-seeded Liu Sheng Shu and Tan Ning in the women’s doubles semifinal on Saturday, August 22.
A victory would take the Indian duo into the World Championships final and give them an opportunity to compete for the gold medal.
Regardless of the semifinal result, Treesa and Gayatri have already secured a historic achievement by ending India’s 15-year wait for another women’s doubles medal at the World Championships.
Their breakthrough performance also comes at an important time for Indian badminton, with the duo emerging as one of the country’s strongest prospects in women’s doubles on the international stage.
With a medal already guaranteed and a place in the final still within reach, all eyes will now be on Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand as they attempt to extend their remarkable run in New Delhi.
Source – Press Trust of India (PTI)
Supreme News Network
