Singapore, May 31: Why should boys have all the fun? Why should they always be treated as winners and get all attentions?
If Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy the Indian badminton men's pair, can stun higher ranked players, win titles and evolve as a formidable force in world badminton, why not Indian girls replicate the same?
Admitted, PV Sindhu and Saina Nehwal have achieved higher heights in women's badminton singles category. But in doubles, India needed some magic from youngsters.
The recent success of Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand in the ongoing Singapore Open has indicated that the young Indian girls, want to follow Chirag-Satwik pair and face higher ranked players with brevity, determination and a strong determination to win.
Continuing their brilliant run, Indian women’s doubles pair of Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand defeated another Korean duo, world no. 6 Kim So Yeong and Kong Hee Yong in a nail-biting quarterfinal, here on Friday.
The Indians, ranked no. 30 in the world, registered a superb comeback victory 18-21, 21-19, 24-22 to enter their first-ever semifinal at a BWF World Tour Super 750 event.
Treesa and Gayatri will face the winner of the second quarterfinal between Nami Matsuyama-Chiharu Shifa of Japan and Apriyani Rahayu-Siti Fadia Silva Ramadhanti of Indonesia on Saturday.
Earlier in the tournament, the young Indian pair defeated the world no. 2 Korean pair of Baek Na Ha and Lee So Hee in an intense Round of 16 match 21-9, 14-21, 21-15 that lasted close to an hour.
Treesa and Gayatri are the only Indians left in the BWF Super 750 Badminton tournament.
On Thursday, ace shuttler PV Sindhu faced a defeat against former Olympic medallist Carolina Marin 21-13, 11-21, 20-22 in the women's singles second round while, in the men's singles, HS Prannoy was outclassed by Japan's Kenta Nishimoto 21-13, 14-21, 21-15 in the hard-fought encounter.
Indian badminton fans would love to see Treesa and Gayatri march further and win the Singapore Open doubles crown. But even if they fail to achieve that, the two have definitely proved their mettle. They may not be taken lightly in future tournaments by better opponents. (With IANS support)
