Gayatri Gopichand and Treesa Jolly Triumph in BWF World Championships with Home Crowd Support

Victory in the Round of 16

In a thrilling match at the BWF World Championships 2026 held in New Delhi, India's women's doubles team, Gayatri Gopichand and Treesa Jolly, showcased their skills by defeating Japan's seventh-seeded duo, Rin Iwanaga and Kie Nakanishi, with scores of 21-16 and 21-12. This victory propels them into the quarterfinals, where they will face the fourth-seeded Chinese pair, Jia Yifan and Zhang Shuxian, at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium.

Home Crowd's Impact

Post-match, Gayatri Gopichand expressed that while there was some pressure playing in front of a home crowd, it was a pressure she relished. She acknowledged the fans for their unwavering support, which helped them navigate challenging moments during the match. "Even when we were down 13-16 in the first set, we received valuable advice from our coaches, which we executed effectively," Gopichand stated. She emphasized the importance of the crowd's encouragement, saying, "I hope to give them more reasons to celebrate."

Praise for the Supportive Audience

Treesa Jolly also highlighted the motivation derived from the home crowd, especially during tough phases of the match. She noted that playing on home turf inspires them to deliver strong performances. "The crowd was incredible, even when we were trailing. It’s essential for us to showcase our best matches for them," Jolly remarked.

Anticipating a Challenging Quarterfinal

Looking ahead, Jolly acknowledged the difficulty of their upcoming match against top-tier opponents, Jia Yifan and Zhang Shuxian. "It's going to be tough, as every point is crucial. We need to stay calm and focused," she added. While the prospect of winning a medal is on their minds, she emphasized the importance of enjoying their current success and preparing adequately for the next challenge.

Match Highlights

During the match, Treesa and Gayatri set a strong pace from the start, demonstrating their dominance with precise play. Despite the Japanese team's solid defense, the Indian pair maintained a comfortable lead, ultimately winning the first game 21-16. In the second game, they quickly extended their advantage, finishing with a decisive 21-12 victory to secure their spot in the quarterfinals.