BWF Worlds: Treesa-Gayatri secure historic medal; Satwik-Chirag exit

Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand secured a historic BWF World Championships semifinal berth, guaranteeing India a medal after beating a Chinese pair. Meanwhile, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty lost their men's doubles quarterfinal.

Indian shuttlers delivered a mixed performance at the BWF World Championships on Friday, with women's doubles pair Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand securing a historic semifinal berth, while Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty bowed out in the quarterfinal stage.

Treesa-Gayatri's Historic Semifinal Run

Treesa and Gayatri kept alive the country's remarkable medal streak at the BWF World Championships after defeating China's fourth-seeded pair Jia Yi Fan and Zhang Shu Xian in a thrilling women's doubles quarterfinal at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium. The Indian duo produced a stunning comeback victory, overcoming a game deficit to beat Jia and Zhang 16-21, 21-15, and 21-13 and enter the semifinals. With the win, Treesa and Gayatri became only the second Indian women's doubles pair to secure a World Championships medal, according to the Badminton Association of India (BAI). The victory also ensured that India continued its run of winning at least one medal at every edition of the BWF World Championships since 2011. The historic streak began with Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa, who won the bronze medal at the 2011 World Championships in London.

The match did not begin ideally for the Indian pair as Jia and Zhang raced to a 6-0 lead in the opening game and extended it to 8-2. However, Treesa and Gayatri responded with an aggressive approach, taking control of the net and finding opportunities to attack. The Indian duo produced a strong comeback and won six consecutive points to reduce the deficit to 8-9. Despite the pressure, the Chinese pair maintained their composure and managed to close out the opening game 21-16.

The second game followed a similar pattern initially, with Jia and Zhang taking a 10-7 lead. However, Treesa and Gayatri changed the momentum with their attacking style and improved coordination. The Indian pair created openings through sharp net play and finished rallies with powerful cross-court smashes. Their aggressive approach helped them level the contest by winning the second game 21-15 and forcing a decider.

In the final game, the Indian duo continued their attacking momentum and dominated the exchanges. They went on a crucial eight-point run to take a commanding lead and kept the pressure on their opponents throughout the game. The quarterfinal was witnessed by Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya and Badminton Association of India President Himanta Biswa Sarma, who were present in the stands to support the Indian pair.

Treesa and Gayatri will now face top seeds Liu Sheng Shu and Tan Ning of China in the semifinal on Saturday. The Indian pair will aim to continue their dream run and secure a place in the final.

Satwik-Chirag's Campaign Ends

On the other hand, India's top men's doubles pair Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty suffered a setback after losing their quarterfinal match against China's third seeds Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang. Satwik and Chirag went down 21-18 and 21-9 as the Chinese pair produced a clinical performance to end India's hopes in the men's doubles category.

Other Quarterfinal Highlights

Men's Singles

Meanwhile, the men's singles competition will have a new world champion after defending champion and second seed Kunlavut Vitidsarn of Thailand was knocked out in the quarterfinals by France's Alex Lanier. Kunlavut, the only former world champion remaining in the men's singles draw, started strongly by winning the opening game 21-19. However, Lanier made a strong comeback and secured the next two games, 21-16 and 21-16, to reach the semifinals.

Lanier will face Canada's Victor Lai in the last four after Lai defeated Denmark's Rasmus Gemke 21-19, 21-18.

In other men's singles results, Japan's Kodai Naraoka defeated Denmark's Anders Antonsen 21-19, 21-15 to progress further.

Women's Singles

In the women's singles category, top seed An Se Young of South Korea defeated China's Han Yue 21-19, 21-12, while Japan's second seed Akane Yamaguchi beat Canada's Michelle Li 21-17, 21-10. China's Wang Zhi Yi also advanced after defeating Denmark's Line Christophersen 21-10, 21-7.

Former world champion Nozomi Okuhara of Japan withdrew from her women's singles quarterfinal match against Thailand's Pornpawee Chochuwong due to a knee injury.

With Treesa and Gayatri assuring India of a medal, the home team's campaign at the World Championships remains alive as the tournament moves towards the semifinal stage.

Important Results, as per BAI

Men's Singles: 7-Victor Lai (CAN) bt Rasmus Gemke (DEN) 21-19, 21-18; 9-Alex Lanier (FRA) bt 2-Kunlavut Vitidsarn (THA) 19-21, 21-16, 21-16; 10-Kodai Naroaka (JPN) bt 4-Anders Antonsen (DEN) 21-19, 21-15 Women's Singles: 1-An Se Young (KOR) bt 5-Han Yue (CHN) 21-19, 21-12; 2-Akane Yamaguchi (JPN) bt 13-Michelle Li (CAN) 21-17, 21-10; 3-Wang Zhi Yi (CHN) bt Line Christophersen (DEN) 21-10, 21-7 Men's Doubles: 3-Liang Wei Keng/Wang Chang (CHN) bt 5-Satwiksairaj Rankireddy/Chirag Shetty (IND) 21-18, 21-9; Women's doubles: Gayatri Gopichand/Treesa Jolly (IND) bt 4-Jia Yi Fan/Zhang Shu Xian: 16-21, 21-15, 21-13; 1-Liu Sheng Shu/Tan Ning bt Yeung Nga Ting/Yeung Pui Lam (TPE) 14-17. (ANI)

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