New Delhi, August 20: The duo of Trisha Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand has secured a spot in the quarter-finals of the BWF World Championships. They triumphed over Japan’s Rin Iwanaga and Ki Nakanishi with a score of 21-16, 21-12 in the pre-quarterfinal match held on Thursday.
The Indian pair attributed their success to the support from local fans. Speaking to reporters after the victory, Gayatri expressed, “There is always a bit of pressure when you step onto the court, but it’s a pressure you enjoy, especially when playing in Delhi. We were trailing 13-16 in the first set, but our coaches provided us with some tips, which we implemented effectively. I’m very happy about that. In the second game, there were tough moments, but I’m glad we remained calm and won the match.”
The support from the audience proved crucial when the Indian players faced pressure. Gayatri felt that the crowd’s energy helped them stay in the game and ultimately secure the win. She added, “At one point, we were under pressure, and the crowd was cheering us on. I thank them and hope they continue to believe in us. I hope to give them more reasons to celebrate.”
Trisha Jolly echoed her partner’s sentiments, stating that the stadium’s atmosphere provided them with extra motivation, even when the scoreboard was not in their favor. Trisha remarked, “The audience is amazing. Even when we were behind in the first game, the fans gave us tremendous encouragement. When playing on home ground, we should showcase our best game for them to witness.”
The next challenge for the Indian players is expected to be tough. They understand that there is little room for error in the quarter-finals, but Trisha emphasized the importance of focusing on their game rather than the match’s significance. She said, “I don’t think it will be easy. They are playing at the top level, and every point matters for us. We need to trust ourselves, stay calm, and be fully present in the moment.”
Gayatri mentioned that before strategizing, they would focus on recovery. She stated, “Not right now, but I think we should go back, eat, stretch, get good sleep, and then work on our strategy to see what happens tomorrow.”
The Indian duo has also discovered a formula for success by maintaining continuous rotation and pressure through aggressive attacks. They noted, “The rotation and attacking game are working great; we just need to keep it going.”
Their effectiveness increased when Trisha had the opportunity to unleash her powerful smashes. Both players acknowledged that the shots played before those finishing moves were equally crucial. Trisha said, “Yes, I think that’s very important. In critical situations, when Gayatri quickly set me up, we were able to score 3-4 points in a row.” Gayatri added, “I just want to create opportunities for her because Trisha’s smash is incredible, so I know if she smashes, the point is secured.”
While the prospect of winning a medal is enticing, Gayatri insisted they won’t let it dominate their thoughts. She remarked, “Of course, it will be on our minds, but we just need to live in the moment—enjoy this victory, recover well, and prepare for the next match.”
Trisha expressed her desire to savor every moment of this tournament taking place on home soil. She said, “I think it’s wonderful that we are playing on our home ground, receiving support from the audience, and everyone is watching us play. We just want to focus and enjoy this moment.”
Leave a Comment