The Indian challenge at the Macau Open 2024 came to an unfortunate close on Saturday, September 28, when the women's doubles pair of Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand were defeated in the semi-finals. Competing at the Macao East Asian Games Dome in Macau, China, the third-seeded Indian duo faced off against the eighth-seeded team from Chinese Taipei, Hsieh Pei-shan and Hung En-tzu, in a thrilling match that lasted for one hour.
The match started with Treesa and Gayatri struggling to find their rhythm, ultimately losing the first game 17-21. However, showcasing their resilience, the Indian pair rallied back to claim the second game 21-16, forcing the contest into a deciding third game. Unfortunately, the momentum shifted dramatically in the final game, where Treesa and Gayatri appeared listless, ultimately losing 10-21. This defeat marked their second semi-final exit on the BWF World Tour this year, having previously lost in the semi-finals at the Singapore Open 2024 in June.
Earlier in the tournament, Treesa and Gayatri had shown impressive form, securing a convincing victory over the sixth-seeded Chinese Taipei duo of Hsu Yin-Hui and Lin Jhih Yun in the quarter-finals. That match, which took place on Friday, September 27, ended in straight games with scores of 21-12 and 21-17, taking just 39 minutes. In that encounter, the Indian pair initially faced a slow start, trailing 1-3, but quickly turned the tables to lead 11-7 by the middle of the first game. They maintained their momentum and won the first game comfortably. In the second game, despite trailing 9-11 at the halfway point, Treesa and Gayatri leveled the score at 14-14 and then dominated the remainder of the game, securing their place in the semi-finals.
While the women's doubles team exited the tournament, India's singles star Kidambi Srikanth also faced disappointment, as he was eliminated in the quarter-finals. After returning to competitive play following an injury layoff, Srikanth lost to Hong Kong’s Angus Ng Ka Long in straight games, with scores of 21-16 and 21-12.
The results at the Macau Open highlight both the potential and challenges facing Indian badminton players on the international stage. As the tournament concludes, all eyes will be on how Treesa, Gayatri, and Srikanth regroup and prepare for future competitions, as they continue to strive for excellence in their sport.
