India’s women’s doubles pair Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand retained their Syed Modi International Super 300 title on Sunday, powering past Japan’s Kaho Osawa and Mai Tanabe in a gripping three-game final in Lucknow. The defending champions rallied from a game down to script a 17-21, 21-13, 21-15 victory after one hour and 16 minutes of high-intensity badminton.
The win is particularly significant as this was only the duo’s second tournament since Gayatri returned from a five-month shoulder injury layoff, a spell that had disrupted their 2024–25 season and forced them out of several key events. Despite limited match play, the world No. 24 pair demonstrated renewed cohesion and attacking flair against the more experienced world No. 35 Japanese combination.
The final opened with a lung-busting 49-shot rally, immediately signalling a contest of discipline and endurance. Osawa and Tanabe edged ahead early at 6-3, but Treesa’s explosive smashes kept the Indians in touch before the Japanese closed the first game 21-17 with composed midcourt play.
The tide shifted dramatically in the second game as Treesa and Gayatri tightened their defence and controlled the front court. A decisive 9-2 start, marked by Treesa’s steep crosscourt attack and Gayatri’s anticipation at the net, set up an 11-5 lead at the interval. Although they briefly faltered, the Indians maintained a commanding rhythm to force a decider with a 21-13 win.
Also read: Treesa-Gayatri one win away from retaining Syed Modi title
The third game oscillated early as the Indians moved to 7-4 before momentary miscommunication allowed the Japanese to reel them in. But Treesa’s sharp net interceptions and Gayatri’s crisp downward hitting restored their authority. At 11-5 in the decider, they looked firmly in control.
Osawa and Tanabe staged a late push, closing the gap to 12-14 and then 13-15, but a disguised net shot from Treesa and a decisive smash from Gayatri put India back firmly on course. A delicate drop from Treesa and an errant Japanese lift handed the top seeds six match points. They closed out the match on the second opportunity to retain the crown.
The Syed Modi International, a key event in the BWF World Tour calendar, has historically served as a breakthrough platform for Indian shuttlers. For Treesa and Gayatri, this title defence underlines their resurgence and builds confidence as they look ahead to the 2026 competitive circuit and a potential climb back into the world’s top 20.
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