Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand Reach Semifinals at BWF World Championships 2026

Incredible Comeback in Quarterfinals

The Indian women's doubles team of Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand achieved a remarkable comeback victory against China's Jia Yi Fan and Zhang Shu Xian in the quarterfinals of the BWF World Championships 2026, held in New Delhi on Friday. This victory guarantees them at least a bronze medal.

After losing the first game, the duo rallied back to win with scores of 16-21, 21-15, and 21-13 in a match that extended over 70 minutes at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium. The Chinese pair initially dominated the first game, taking advantage of mistakes made by the Indian players to secure a 1-0 lead.

In the second game, Treesa and Gayatri showcased their resilience by enhancing their defensive strategies and controlling the net play, which allowed them to take an early lead and level the match at 21-15.

Carrying their momentum into the final game, the Indian pair surged ahead to a 10-5 lead, maintaining pressure on their opponents and ultimately winning the game 21-13, marking a significant comeback.

With this victory, Treesa and Gayatri have made history as only the second Indian women's doubles team to earn a medal at the World Championships, following the bronze medal achievement of Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa in 2011.

Path to the Quarterfinals

Prior to their quarterfinal match, Treesa and Gayatri secured a convincing straight-game win to reach this stage of the World Championships. They faced Japan's seventh-seeded pair, Rin Iwanaga and Kie Nakanishi, defeating them with scores of 21-16 and 21-12 in the Round of 16.

The Indian duo set the pace early in the first game, demonstrating sharp skills and maintaining a steady lead despite the Japanese team's disciplined defense. They closed the first game at 21-16.

In the second game, Treesa and Gayatri quickly expanded their lead, ultimately sealing the match with a 21-12 victory, which advanced them to the tournament's quarterfinals.