Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand made history at the BWF World Championships, winning the women's doubles quarterfinals and winning India's first medal in the event in 15 years. The Indian duo did a remarkable comeback against China's Jia Yi Fan and Zhang Shu Xian in their quarter-final match 16-21, 21-15, 21-13.
The victory was particularly significant as Treesa and Gayatri had never beaten the Chinese pair in their three previous meetings. Despite coming in as underdogs in the quarter-final, the Indian team had the guts and determination to win and make the match after losing the opening match.
The result also ended a long wait for India in the women’s doubles category at the World Championships. The last Indian women’s doubles pair to win a World Championships medal was Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa, who won bronze 15 years ago. Treesa and Gayatri have now joined that elite group by guaranteeing themselves at least a bronze medal with their place in the last four.
The Indian pair have been performing well all throughout the campaign before they encountered their best challenge in the quarter-finals. Treesa and Gayatri beat Spain's Lopez and Rodrigues 21-9, 21-1 in the Round of 64. They continued their momentum in the Round of 32, defeating Lam and Lee before they defeated Japan's Iwanaga and Nakanishi in the Round of 16. The Indians won 21-16 and 21-12.
However, the quarter-final with Jia and Zhang was a completely different test. The Chinese pair had a fast start and immediately took on the Indians. Treesa lost out to the first two points after a baseline error and an unsuccessful return to their opponents who went up by 4-0.
The Chinese combination then took on an extraordinary 57-shot rally to prove the intensity of the contest. Treesa and Gayatri finally opened their account after an error from their opponents, which also raised the energy in the arena. India gradually fought their way back and reduced the deficit to 8-9.
Jia and Zhang, however, remained composed and seized control. They were 11-8 at the interval and eventually ended up winning the first game 21-16. Even with their previous record against the Chinese pair, Treesa and Gayatri appeared to be in trouble.
The Indian duo did not want to give up. The second game had a huge momentum shift. Treesa started the game aggressively and although the Chinese couple had a narrow edge at first, the Indians began to push them to go for longer rallies and uncomfortable exchanges.
A 48-shot rally helped India move to within a point at 4-5 and from there the match was a test of patience, endurance and concentration. Treesa and Gayatri eventually took the lead for the first time in the match. Jia and Zhang fought back, but the Indian pair refused to give their opponents a chance to go back in front.
Treesa and Gayatri won the second game 21-15, forcing a deciding game and completely changing the complexion of the match.
The Indians maintained the pressure from the beginning in the final. Their confidence grew and the Chinese couple was unable to regain the control they had gained in the opening game. Treesa and Gayatri kept their discipline, defended effectively and seized crucial opportunities.
They won the deciding game 21-13 to complete a memorable 16-21, 21-15, 21-13 victory. More importantly, the win took them to the World Championships semi-finals and guaranteed a women’s doubles medal for India after 15 years.
As Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand were able to win a game they’ve never been able to win against a pair they’ve never defeated and recovered from a first game loss, it’s a testament to their maturity level as a team. They have been such an extraordinary team and have been successful in Indian badminton and will bring on a new generation of women’s doubles players.
Now Treesa and Gayatri will be looking to extend their remarkable run and turn their guaranteed medal into a place in the final. Whatever happens now, we can certainly see that their victory over Jia and Zhang has earned them a place in the history of Indian badminton.
