Joshna Chinappa gave it her all in opposition to Aira Azman earlier than taking place in 4 video games in the semifinals of the Squash World Cup in Chennai on Friday.
| Photo Credit: R. RAVINDRAN
Touted as one in every of the favourites, second-seeded India was outplayed by Malaysia, the fourth seed, 5-0 in the semifinals of the Squash World Cup at the Express Avenue Mall right here on Friday. In the ultimate on Saturday, Malaysia tackle Egypt, which drubbed Japan 6-0 in the different semifinal.
India needs to be content material with a bronze together with Japan.
It was stunning that India misplaced all its three matches to Malaysia when it was assumed, based mostly on rankings and type, the host would certainly prevail fairly comfortably.
On the different hand, Malaysia performed an impressive match and full credit score ought to go to Ong Sai Hung, Aira Azman and Darren Pragasam, who reveled in the strain circumstances.
Though Ong may be ranked a low 149 in the world as in comparison with Abhay Singh’s 62, he proved superior in all facets when it got here to crunch conditions.
In the fifth and deciding recreation at 6-6, Abhay was deceived by a beautiful misleading drop by Ong from the backcourt.
In the second match, Joshna couldn’t repeat what she completed on Thursday. The proficient 18-year-old Aira Azman, ranked 55 in the world, proved to be superior although Joshna, ranked 72, fought onerous to win the third recreation. Of course, there have been fairly a number of contentious calls which went in opposition to the Indian.
Saurav Ghosal, who incurred a minor knee damage the different day, simply couldn’t get his A-game. Darren Pragasam got here to court docket an impressed man. His backhand drops from the backcourt have been pure delight.
Earlier in the day, Egypt, the high seed, outplayed Japan 6-0, to once more show why it’s referred to as the squash powerhouse.
The outcomes (semifinals): Malaysia bt India 5-0 (Ong Sai Hung bt Abhay Singh 7-4, 5-7, 1-7, 7-1, 7-6; Aira Azman bt Joshna Chinappa 7-3, 7-3, 5-7, 7-4; Darren Pragasam bt Saurav Ghosal 7-5, 2-7, 7-6, 7-5).
Egypt bt Japan 6-0 (Karim El Hammamy bt Tomotaka Endo 7-1, 7-6, 7-2; Fayrouz Abouelkheir bt Satomi Watanabe 7-5, 7-2, 7-2; Aly Abou Eleinen bt Ryunosuke Tsukue 6-7, 7-6, 7-5, 7-6; Kenzy Ayman bt Akari Midorikawa 7-3, 7-4).
Note: The winner of the match between high seeds of opposing groups will get two factors and the contest between second seeds will get one.
