India experienced contrasting fortunes at the World Badminton Championships on Thursday as the country's campaign in the singles events came to an end, while the women's doubles pair of Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand stormed into the quarter-finals with an impressive victory. Two-time Olympic medalist PV Sindhu and promising youngster Ayush Shetty suffered defeats in their respective pre-quarterfinal matches. However, the Arjuna Award winning women's doubles duo kept Indian hopes alive by knocking out the world No. 7 Japanese pair in straight games.
Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand Stun Japanese Pair to Reach Quarters
In the women's doubles category, the unseeded Indian combination of Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand displayed exceptional court coordination and tactical discipline. Facing Japan's seventh seeds and world No. 7 duo Rin Iwanaga and Kie Nakanishi in the pre-quarterfinals, the Indian pair asserted their dominance from the opening exchanges. Controlling the net play and refusing to let their higher-ranked opponents settle, Treesa and Gayatri secured a convincing 21-16, 21-12 victory in straight games to seal their place in the last eight.
This victory highlights the rising stature of Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand on the international circuit. The pair had previously established their credentials by reaching back-to-back semifinals at the prestigious All England Open in 2022 and 2023. They also bagged a bronze medal at the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games and broke into the top 10 of the world rankings early last year. After missing several key tournaments earlier this year due to an ankle injury sustained by Treesa, the duo returned to competitive action at the Indonesia Open and regained their winning touch by capturing the Philippine International Challenge title earlier this month. Recently honored with the Arjuna Award, their stellar performance at the World Championships has renewed India's hopes for a medal.
PV Sindhu Exits After Grueling Three-Game Battle Against Wang Zhi Yi
India's leading contender in women's singles, former world champion PV Sindhu, saw her tournament run come to an end following a hard-fought three-game battle against China's third seed Wang Zhi Yi. Sindhu was defeated 11-21, 21-15, 17-21 in an intense encounter. Wang Zhi Yi took control early in the opening game with aggressive play, pushing Sindhu on the defensive to claim it 21-11. Showing her characteristic resilience and court coverage, Sindhu responded strongly in the second game, unleashing powerful smashes to win 21-15 and force a deciding third game.
The final game featured a rally-by-rally contest with both players fighting for every point. Although Sindhu created multiple opportunities to build pressure, Wang Zhi Yi maintained composure and executed precise shots at crucial moments to take the game 21-17 and advance to the semifinals. Sindhu remains India's most successful player in the history of the World Championships, having clinched gold in 2019, silver medals in 2017 and 2018, and bronze medals in 2013 and 2014. Her departure marks the end of India's representation in the women's singles event.
Ayush Shetty Bows Out to Alwi Farhan as Men's Singles Challenge Ends
India suffered another blow in the men's singles event as 21-year-old talent Ayush Shetty exited in the pre-quarterfinals. Ayush was defeated in straight games 19-21, 11-21 by Indonesia's 11th seed and world No. 12 Alwi Farhan. Having created a major ripple earlier in the tournament by defeating top seed and defending world champion Shi Yu Qi of China, expectations were high for Ayush. In the opening game, the young Indian fought valiantly, staying neck-and-neck with Farhan before the Indonesian edged ahead at crucial junctures to take it 21-19.
Farhan exerted total dominance in the second game, leaving no room for a comeback as he wrapped up the match 21-11. This outcome marked Farhan's fifth victory over Ayush in eight career meetings. With star shuttler Lakshya Sen having been eliminated on Wednesday, Ayush Shetty's defeat brought a complete close to India's campaign in the men's singles category at the World Championships.
