New Delhi, 21 August (H.S.): Indian women’s doubles pair Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand produced a sensational performance on Friday to secure a place in the semi-finals of the BWF World Championships 2026. Playing at the Indira Gandhi Stadium, the Indian duo defeated China’s fourth-seeded Jia Yi Fan and Zhang Shuxian 16-21, 21-15, 21-13 in a fiercely contested three-game quarter-final.

Treesa and Gayatri made a slow start, trailing 2-6 early in the opening game, but quickly fought their way back into contention. Their powerful smashes and assured net play helped them level the score and briefly move ahead. However, the Chinese pair raised their intensity at crucial moments. Jia and Zhang relied on sustained attacking play to take the opening game 21-16.

The Indian duo adopted a more aggressive approach from the outset in the second game and did not allow their Chinese opponents to establish a commanding lead. Both pairs engaged in lengthy rallies and produced a series of high-quality shots, with the score remaining level at 10-10.

India then capitalised on an error from the Chinese pair to move ahead and took an 11-10 lead into the interval. Treesa’s impressive defensive skills and Gayatri’s cross-court smashes put the Indians in a strong position. They maintained their momentum to win the second game 21-15 and force a deciding game.

India Dominate the Decider

Treesa and Gayatri took control from the beginning of the deciding game and went into the interval with a commanding 11-5 lead. The six-point advantage gave the Indian pair considerable momentum, and they refused to allow the Chinese duo any opportunity to stage a comeback.

With aggressive smashes, precise net play and remarkable composure under pressure, Treesa and Gayatri closed out the deciding game 21-13 to book their place in the semi-finals.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar