Nagoya: Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand’s impressive campaign at the Asian Games concluded on Sunday with a straight-game defeat against Malaysia’s world No. 5 pair Pearly Tan and Thinaah Muralitharan in the women’s doubles quarter-finals.

The Indian duo, who claimed a maiden World Championships bronze medal in New Delhi last month, proved competitive in the opening game before unforced errors cost them in an 18-21, 9-21 loss to Pearly and Thinaah, the 2025 World Championships silver medallists.

On an adjacent court, the mixed doubles pairing of Dhruv Kapila and Tanisha Crasto mounted a spirited resistance before succumbing 14-21, 21-18, 18-21 to world No. 1 Chinese combination Feng Yan Zhe and Huang Dongping in their quarter-final encounter, rounding off a difficult session for the Indian contingent.

Later in the day, two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu and youngster Unnati Hooda were scheduled to feature in the women’s singles quarter-finals against China’s Chen Yu Fei and Japan’s Akane Yamaguchi respectively.

Treesa and Gayatri entered the event in strong form following their successful World Championships run at home, which included back-to-back victories over Japan's world No. 3 pair Yuki Fukushima and Mayu Matsumoto.

However, against the aggressive Malaysian combination, who held six wins in their previous eight meetings, Treesa and Gayatri initially fell behind 3-8 before mounting a spirited recovery to draw level at 10-10.

In a fast-paced rally exchange, the Indians matched their opponents shot for shot to stay level at 14-14. A brief lapse at the net followed by additional unforced errors subsequently allowed Pearly and Thinaah to open up a 17-14 cushion.

A deceptive flick at the net from Gayatri preceded a fierce rally, with the Malaysian pair sending a shot wide as India attempted to claw back into the game. However, Pearly and Thinaah pushed ahead to 19-16 before Treesa hit the net, granting the Malaysians four game points.

The Indian pair saved two game points before a decisive smash secured the opening game for the Malaysian duo.

Treesa and Gayatri established a quick 3-0 lead following the change of ends, but the Malaysians responded forcefully, forcing errors from the Indian side to build a 7-3 lead. The match slipped away from the Indian pair thereafter as they fell behind 4-11 at the interval.

Thinaah and Pearly extended their advantage to 13-6 as errors continued to mount for both Treesa and Gayatri. The Malaysian pair quickly set up 12 match points, eventually sealing the victory after Pearly hit the net and Gayatri sent a shot wide.

PTI