Unseeded Indian Duo Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand Stun Seventh Seeds, Eyeing World Championships Medal
New Delhi, India – In a thrilling upset at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, India’s unseeded women’s doubles pair, Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand Pullela, have advanced to the quarterfinals of the BWF World Championships, putting them just one victory away from securing a coveted medal. The formidable duo delivered a dominant straight-games performance against Japan’s seventh seeds, Rin Iwanaga and Kie Nakanishi, on Thursday.
The world No. 39 Indians, who have been on a remarkable comeback journey following Treesa’s injury, outmaneuvered their Japanese counterparts with a decisive 21-16, 21-12 victory in a lopsided pre-quarterfinal match. This significant win has ignited hopes for a medal, as a place in the semi-finals guarantees a podium finish at the prestigious tournament.
Treesa Leads Aggressive Charge as Comeback Gathers Momentum
The foundation of their success was laid by Treesa Jolly’s aggressive and powerful play from the rear court. Her relentless attacking shots, combined with varied net play, consistently prevented the Japanese pair from establishing any rhythm. While Gayatri Gopichand maintained a comparatively quieter presence in the attacking phases, her crucial role in orchestrating the pair’s structure, movement, and rotations repeatedly forced Iwanaga and Nakanishi into uncomfortable positions, disrupting their strategy.
The match was not without its moments of heightened emotion. Treesa and Gayatri expressed frustration with certain aspects of the proceedings, particularly regarding the Japanese pair’s conduct, which did not elicit the desired response. This tension culminated in Treesa receiving a yellow card after a warning from the chair umpire concerning her handling of the shuttle.
However, this incident only seemed to fuel Treesa’s intensity. She channeled her frustration directly into her badminton, celebrating successful smashes emphatically, much to the delight of the home crowd that rallied passionately behind the Indian pair. At one point, her ongoing argument with the match referee required intervention from coach Pullela Gopichand, who urged her to return to her corner and refocus.
This quarter-final berth marks a pivotal moment in the duo’s inspiring return to top-tier competition. Treesa’s ankle injury, sustained after accidentally stepping on Gayatri’s foot during training prior to the Asia Badminton Championships and Uber Cup, had sidelined them for approximately three months. The injury, diagnosed as two high-grade muscle tears and two ligament tears, necessitated a grueling rehabilitation period.
Their return began at the Indonesia Open, followed by participation in the US Open. Demonstrating strategic planning, they then opted to compete in the Philippine International Challenge earlier this month to regain their rhythm, ultimately emerging as champions.
This latest success adds another feather to their cap, following a string of impressive achievements including consecutive semi-final appearances at the All England Open in 2022 and 2023, a Commonwealth Games bronze medal in 2022, and breaking into the world’s top 10 at the beginning of last year. Their exceptional talent and dedication were further recognized with the prestigious Arjuna Award for 2025. With their current form, Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand are now just one step away from achieving World Championships glory.
