‘Very strong, very sharp’: Chinese duo hail Treesa-Gayatri after World Championships upset

Indian badminton duo Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand claimed a thrilling victory over Chinese favorites Jia Yifang and Zhang Shu Xian at the World Championships. After a grueling quarterfinal match, the Indian pair ended a 15-year wait for a women's doubles medal for their country. Treesa is known for her strong attacking skills, while Gayatri is recognized for her sharp mind.

Chinese player Jia Yifang praised the Indian duo, calling Treesa "very strong" and Gayatri "very sharp minded." The Indian duo faced a tough start, trailing 8-9 at the mid-game break, but made a remarkable comeback with Treesa's powerful smashes and Gayatri's precise net play. Despite trailing 8-11 at one point, they stayed in the game with Treesa's body smashes and Gayatri's impeccable play at the net.

The Indian duo's confidence grew as they stepped up in the second game, leading 11-10 at the mid-game break. With a strong performance in the decider, India secured their first medal of the 2026 World Championships.