Treesa-Gayatri use foot speed to push out Malaysian World No 6 with a win at World Tour Finals

Much is spoken about the power-quality of their strokes on the kill shot. But what’s eye-popping at the World Tour Finals has been the tremendous foot speed the Indians have deployed in their last two matches, and coaches Arun Vishnu and Pullela Gopichand seemed to have found a proper counter to a mere power game.

Treesa and Gayatri moved laterally so well against the Malaysians that it was reminiscent of Chirag Shetty cutting across on the front court. That particular style is neither about a male or female game, but simply Chirag’s ability to intercept and attack the shuttle as soon as it crosses the net.

Neither women are as tall, but both have been hop-smashing to perfection, striking the shuttle at a very high point, adding the third height dimension to their game. Treesa is at the forecourt corner in a jiffy, and drops from high, while Gayatri is simply adding a whip to her attack with some natty blitzing wrist work. Their strategic high lifts were decent anyway, but their defensive clears to back court also meant they could still force the taller Pearly and Thinaah to flounder while moving back.

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The Indians took a 5-1 lead early and though scores read 6-6 and 11-11 subsequently, the Indian attack from front court was enthralling. Treesa’s lateral skates are making her very versatile as she looms at the net, always in possession of the monster smash she has. But the slow conditions mean she seldom relies on the big hit. Her slice drops that go cross three the Malaysians into complete anarchy.

Both Indians are also nothing high percentage precision shots even when imbalanced. So Treesa lunges and like an octopus the racquet reaches out while she’s still mid-stride for a fairly accurate return.

Another notable feature of the game is how Treesa and Gayatri – never mind who’s front court or back – operate really well standing in a single file along the mid vertical line. They are junking the left-right side by side receiving stance to take possession of their respective territories, front and back. At both 17-15 and 21-19 when taking the set lead, Treesa was a shadow of Gayatri. The only call they take is whether Gayatri goes for the kill attack or Treesa takes it, at the back – choosing their point on the trajectory to attack.

The Indians were at the Malaysian heels in the second, but went from 10-11 to 14-12 by splitting Pearly-Thinaah’s response. Flick serves from Treesa and Gayatri interceptors, brought it to 17-17, though Gayatri twice erred into the net, trying to close out.

But her defensive clears are so well executed, that the Indians were buzzing towards a quick finish. A long 68 shot rally, saw Indians go on auto-pilot attack, but Thinaah-Tan ace these, and they slowed down to level de-vemoning all smashes as Thinaah got one on the line at 19-18.

But a perfect Treesa short backhand crosscourt, and a Gayatri smash would give Indians their cherished Top 10 scalp win.

Tomorrow they take on Matsuyama-Shida of Japan, not the easiest of opponents, in high stake matches. The Indians will need a win to make semis, and once again will hope strategy barrels them through. Both their speed and defense will get tested.