Switch to doubles helped teenage shuttler Gayatri Gopichand
Gayatri Gopichand and Treesa Jolly scripted history as they became the first Indian women’s doubles pair to reach the semifinals of the All England Championships. They defeated second seeds Lee Sohee and Shin Seungchan of Korea 14-21, 22-20, 21-15 on Friday. It’s been a dream debut for Gayatri at this blue riband event of badminton and she has so far followed in the steps of her illustrious father and 2001 champion Gopichand. Gayatri started as a singles player but a switch to doubles and her chance pairing with Treesa, who also trains at Gopi’s academy, is yielding dividends. The 19-year-old is now two steps away from replicating the feat of her father Gopichand, albeit in doubles.
