Dubai-born Indian shuttler Tanisha Crasto is just one win away from securing a World Championship medal in Paris, as the 22-year-old has reached the quarterfinals in mixed doubles of the global event.
Tanisha and her partner Dhruv Kapila showcased outstanding form by defeating the fifth-seeded Hong Kong pair Tang Chun Man and Tse Ying Suet with scores of 21-15, 21-15 in the round of 16 clash on Thursday.
The Indian duo will face Chen Tang Jie and Toh Ee Wei of Malaysia in the quarterfinals on Friday, aiming to become the first mixed doubles pair from India to win a World Championships medal.
On Thursday, Man and Suet, who are two-time World Championships bronze medallists, had no answer to the powerful gameplay of Tanisha and Kapila in Paris.
“Tanisha served very well today. Her serves were too good for Man and Suet. And Kapila was outstanding in his attacking game,” Clifford Crasto, Tanisha’s father and her first coach, told the Khaleej Times.
Clifford, who still resides in Dubai with his wife and son, is feeling confident ahead of Friday’s crucial quarterfinal clash.
“If they can continue the momentum they showed today, I expect a victory tomorrow (Friday) against the Malaysians,” Clifford said.
Tanisha, who made her Olympic debut last year at the Paris Games, could clinch a bronze by winning on Friday as a semifinal berth is enough for a medal at the World Championships.
Meanwhile, Indian singles star PV Sindhu kept her dream of winning a sixth World Championships medal alive with a stunning 21-19, 21-15 win over Chinese world number two Wang Zhiyi in the round of 16 on Thursday.
In what was her first win over a top-five player in more than two years, the 30-year-old delivered a vintage attacking performance to win in just 48 minutes.
“When I stepped onto the court, she was like any other player to me. I knew it wasn’t going to be easy from round one in a World Championship. You have to fight for every point, every rally. I wanted to give my 100 percent,” said Sindhu, who has struggled to regain her top form since coming back from an injury in 2023.
“Of course, Wang Zhi Yi is a very good athlete, but it was not in my mind. I had to just be consistent and keep the shuttle in. I knew there would be long rallies… even though I was leading, she didn’t give up. I was prepared for her pace changes, the tough smashes, and I was always quick on my feet,” Sindhu said.
Sindhu, the 2019 world champion and a two-time Olympic medallist, will take on Putri Kusuma Wardani of Indonesia on Friday for a place in the semifinal.
“It’s just one match at a time for me. I never thought about two rounds ahead or one round ahead. For me, it’s not over yet. I need to come back tomorrow much stronger, and be prepared for everything,” she said.
