Archive · 20 Aug 2026
Treesa-Gayatri Reach World Championship Quarterfinals After Japanese Upset
Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand won an important badminton match.
They beat Japan’s Rin Iwanaga and Kie Nakanishi in straight games.
The Japanese pair is ranked much higher than the Indian team.
The Indians hit strong smashes to push their opponents backward.
Then they used gentle drops near the net, where the Japanese defenders could not reach them easily.
Japan briefly moved ahead in the first game, but the Indians stayed calm and fought back.
Their win put them in the quarterfinals of the World Championships.
One more victory would bring them a medal.
Next, they will play Jia Yi Fan and Zhang Shu Xian.
Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand defeated World No. 7 pair Rin Iwanaga and Kie Nakanishi 21-16, 21-12.
The World No. 39 Indians used deep smashes to create openings for soft drops at the net.
After Japan briefly led 16-13 in the first game, the Indians regained control through improved rotation and attacking play.
The victory placed Treesa-Gayatri one win from securing a World Championships medal.
They will face defending champion Jia Yi Fan and her new partner, Zhang Shu Xian, in the quarterfinals.
- Who
- Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand defeated Japan’s Rin Iwanaga and Kie Nakanishi.
- What
- The World No. 39 Indian pair won 21-16, 21-12 to reach the World Championships quarterfinals.
- When
- During their third match in four days at the World Championships; no calendar date is provided.
- Where
- At the World Championships, described as the Japanese pair’s home Worlds; the specific venue is not stated.
- Why
- The Indians combined deep and flat smashes with soft drops to disrupt Japan’s front-court defensive strengths.
Indian Tactical Approach
Japanese Assessment
Smash-and-drop strategy
Indian Tactical Approach
Treesa-Gayatri used deep and flatter smashes to push the Japanese pair back, then attacked the exposed front court with soft drops.
Japanese Assessment
Rin Iwanaga said the Japanese knew Treesa would smash but could not stop the shots or begin their own attack.
Momentum and crowd
Indian Tactical Approach
The Indians recovered after Japan turned a 13-9 deficit into a 16-13 lead and then controlled the second game.
Japanese Assessment
Iwanaga said the Indians’ momentum was tremendous and that the crowd helped them, while Kie Nakanishi was reported to be in tears after the match.
- Result
- Treesa Jolly-Gayatri Gopichand beat Rin Iwanaga-Kie Nakanishi 21-16, 21-12.
- Indian ranking
- World No. 39.
- Japanese ranking
- Rin Iwanaga and Kie Nakanishi were World No. 7.
- Stage reached
- Quarterfinals of the World Championships.
- Medal outlook
- The Indians are one win away from a World Championships medal.
- Next opponents
- Defending champion Jia Yi Fan and Zhang Shu Xian.
- Key tactic
- Using smashes to dislodge Japan’s defense before playing soft drops into the open front court.