India began its BWF World Junior Championships campaign in Guwahati with a commanding performance, winning every match on the opening day. The lone moment of unease came from Tankara Gnana Dattu Talasila’s nervy start before he recovered to post a 5-15, 15-7, 15-7 victory over Hungary’s Milan Mesterhazy at the National Centre of Excellence.
Facing a left-handed opponent, Gnana Dattu appeared unsettled in the opening game, repeatedly attempting rally-ending jump-smashes that found the net. His eagerness to dominate early cost him points, allowing Mesterhazy to run away with the first game. But once the Indian settled his nerves, his rhythm and shot placement returned with assurance.
The turning point came midway through the second game, when a deft crosscourt net winner at 11-5 drew applause from both his opponent and the modest home crowd. From that point, Gnana Dattu controlled the pace and angles of play. Leading 8-3 in the decider, he sealed victory on his third match point with a sharp smash down the line — a fitting conclusion to his recovery.
The ongoing event is part of the Badminton World Federation’s experimental format, where matches are played best-of-three games to 15 points instead of the traditional 21. The shorter format produced a flurry of swift results, with several first-round matches ending before spectators could even find their seats.
Japan’s Yuzuno Watanabe delivered the day’s most one-sided scoreline, defeating Nepal’s Nistha Shrestha 15-1, 15-0 in just 11 minutes — remarkably, not even the shortest match of the day. Such outcomes highlighted the early disparity in matchups as top seeds and emerging nations shared the same stage.
India’s dominance extended beyond Gnana Dattu’s win. H. Lalthazuala eased past Uganda’s Denis Mukasa 15-4, 15-4, while Vennala Kalagotla breezed through her opener against Ireland’s Siofra Flynn 15-1, 15-6. The impressive performances ensured smooth passage for all Indian singles players to the second round.
In mixed doubles, all three Indian pairs in action registered straight-game victories, maintaining the hosts’ spotless record. With several top Indian players, including top seed Tanvi Sharma, set to join the fray after receiving first-round byes, Tuesday promises a packed schedule and heightened expectations.
India’s flawless start, despite early jitters, set an upbeat tone for the tournament — one where the home contingent looks poised to make deep runs across categories.
