Singapore Open: Treesa Jolly-Gayatri Gopichand stun Korean duo to reach semifinals

The rising Indian women’s doubles pair Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand, delivered a stunning performance to secure their place in the semifinals of the Singapore Open. The unseeded duo overcame the formidable sixth-seeded South Korean team of Kim So Yeong and Kong Hee Yong in a tightly contested quarterfinal.

The match was a rollercoaster of emotions, with Treesa and Gayatri demonstrating remarkable resilience and skill. Despite dropping the first game 18-21, the Indian pair fought back fiercely to claim the second game 21-19. The decisive third game was a nail-biter, extending to extra points before Treesa and Gayatri emerged victorious with a 24-22 scoreline. The entire match lasted one hour and 19 minutes, showcasing the intense competition and high level of play.

This victory marks a significant turnaround for Treesa and Gayatri, who had previously lost to the same South Korean pair at the Hangzhou Asian Games last year. The world number 30 Indian duo also recorded a major upset on Thursday, defeating the world number two Korean pair of Baek Ha Na and Lee So Hee in the round of 16, further solidifying their reputation as a formidable force in women’s doubles badminton.

Next, Treesa and Gayatri face the fourth-seeded Japanese pair of Nami Matsuyama and Chiharu Shida in the semifinals on Saturday. The match promises to be another challenging encounter for the Indian duo as they strive to continue their impressive run in the BWF World Tour Super 750 event.

The pair are the last Indians remaining in the tournament, aiming for a podium finish. Other Indian contenders, including PV Sindhu and HS Prannoy, were eliminated in their respective women’s and men’s singles matches on Thursday.