India’s Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand Reach Japan Masters Second Round
Indian women’s doubles stars Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand opened their campaign at the Japan Masters 2026 with a composed straight-games victory in Kumamoto on Tuesday. The World Championships bronze medallists defeated Japan’s Hinata Suzuki and Nao Yamakita 21-17, 21-14 at the Kumamoto Prefectural Gymnasium, securing a place in the second round after 42 minutes of badminton.
The result was a significant early boost for the Indian pair, who faced a home team ranked No. 15 in the world. Suzuki and Yamakita had the support of the local crowd, but Treesa and Gayatri kept their focus, managed the key exchanges well and finished the match in two games.
Treesa and Gayatri Handle a Tough Opening Test
The first game was closely contested, with neither pair able to establish a commanding lead. The Japanese combination made the most of its familiarity with the conditions, while the Indians had to stay alert against quick returns and sharp movement around the court. Treesa and Gayatri, however, maintained their attacking intent and were more effective as the game reached its closing stages, taking it 21-17.
That opening-game advantage gave the Indian duo room to play with greater confidence in the second. They continued to apply pressure, looked for opportunities to take control of rallies and limited the chances for Suzuki and Yamakita to build momentum. The Japanese pair remained competitive, but Treesa and Gayatri created enough separation to close out the game 21-14 and complete the win.
For the Indian pair, the victory offers a positive start at a demanding international tournament. Japan Masters draws together leading players from across the badminton circuit, making early-round matches important tests of both form and composure. A straight-games result also allows Treesa and Gayatri to move forward without spending extra time on court, a useful advantage as the competition progresses.
Experience and composure prove important
Treesa and Gayatri’s status as World Championships bronze medallists reflects their ability to compete at the highest level, but each tournament brings a fresh challenge. Against a ranked Japanese pair playing in front of its home supporters, the Indians needed to balance patience with aggression. Their ability to stay steady in the tighter first game and carry that control into the second was central to the outcome.
The win keeps India’s women’s doubles interest alive in Kumamoto and gives the pair an opportunity to build momentum in the next round. Their progress will be closely followed by Indian badminton fans, particularly as the duo continues to pursue consistent results against established international partnerships.
Hariharan and Arjun Advance After Malaysian Pair Retires
India also advanced in men’s doubles, where Hariharan Amsakarunan and Arjun M.R. moved into the next round after former world champions Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik of Malaysia retired during the opening game. The Indians were leading 11-6 when the match ended.
The retirement brought an abrupt finish to what had begun as a high-profile contest. Chia and Soh are among the most accomplished men’s doubles players on the circuit, so the match had promised a demanding test for the Indian pair. Although the result came before a full game could be completed, Hariharan and Arjun will take the progression and prepare for their next challenge at the Japan Masters.
For doubles teams, early exchanges can quickly reveal the pace and tactical direction of a match. The Indian pair had established a five-point advantage before the retirement, but the circumstances mean they will have limited competitive court time from this fixture. Their next appearance will therefore be an important opportunity to settle into the tournament and demonstrate their form over a complete match.
Dhruv Kapila and Radhika Sharma Exit in Qualification
India’s mixed doubles campaign began on a more difficult note. Dhruv Kapila and Radhika Sharma were eliminated in the qualification round after losing 16-15, 15-21 to the United States’ Chen Zhi Yi and Francesca Corbett.
The opening game was tight throughout. Dhruv and Radhika stayed within two points of their opponents at the mid-game interval and continued to compete closely as the score moved towards the finish. Chen and Corbett eventually edged the game 16-15, leaving the Indian pair with little margin for error in the second.
The Indians responded by finding their way back into the contest. The second game remained level at 14-14, a point at which a short run of successful rallies could have changed the direction of the match. Instead, the American pair produced the stronger finish, pulling away to claim the game 21-15 and secure qualification-round victory.
A mixed day for India at the Japan Masters
The results made for a varied day for the Indian contingent in Kumamoto: a clear win for Treesa and Gayatri, advancement for Hariharan and Arjun following their opponents’ retirement, and a narrow qualification defeat for Dhruv and Radhika. Such contrasting outcomes are common at a tournament where players face different opponents, match conditions and levels of pressure from one round to the next.
For spectators following the badminton action, the women’s doubles result stands out as the most complete performance of the day for India. Treesa and Gayatri showed the discipline needed to navigate a competitive opening game before taking firmer control in the second. Their next-round match will provide another measure of their progress and could offer a chance to strengthen India’s presence in the draw.
With the Japan Masters 2026 underway, attention now turns to the next round and the challenges ahead for the Indian players who remain in contention. Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand will aim to carry their winning form forward, while Hariharan Amsakarunan and Arjun M.R. will look to make the most of their opportunity in men’s doubles. Their performances will add to a tournament already marked by close badminton contests and high-profile matchups.
