Indian Women Lift Asian Squash title

The Indian girls were absolutely outstanding today, when against all odds they beat the favored no. 1 seeds Hong Kong to win their maiden Asian Senior Squash title here in Kuwait.

Joshana Chinappa went on first against Joey Chan who is ranked over 30 places above her. Joshana was unperturbed by this and stamped her class right from the beginning to take advantage of the fact that the evening before her opponent Joey had to endure 5 hard games against her Malaysian counter part Delia Arnold.

Joshana aggressive play laced with delicate drops and deception was simply too much for Joey to handle as she dropped the first game in less than 10 min 11-2. The second game was equally impressive as Joshanapushed on aggressively to win 11-8. Joey seemed to be warming up in the third game and her shorts were more effective as he had Joshana scurrying around the court. Unaffected by the third game loss Joshana game back with a vengeance and wrapped up the fourth game and match to give India the much needed first point.

Dipika Pallikal went on next against Annie Au who is world ranked 7. Dipika has never beaten Annie Au in a tournament before but this does not matter, in a team event anything can happen.

Dipika aggression seemed effective against Annie who is renowned for a steady lob and drop game. Dipika kept the pressure on throughout the match with her aggressive play and Annie did not have any answer for that style of play. Annie made a gallant fight back in the third but Dipika held her nerves to claw back from 4-7 winning 6 straight points to help India collect their first ever Asian Senior Women’s title, which has eluded them, all this while. Overall, it was a class act from Dipika.

On the contrary the men failed to lift the title. A charged up Farhan Zaman cheered on by dozens of local enthusiasts pushed Siddharth Suchde to the point of almost being beating 3-0. The fighter he is, Siddharth clung on to save 3 match’s balls in the third, to take the third and fourth games. It was nip and tuck all the way to 9-9 where Siddharth slipped and gave Zaman match ball. Zaman grabbed the opportunity and finished the match with an outright cross-court winner.

Saurav was up against no1 Pakistani Farahan Mehboob who is know for his shot making abilities. Today this did not fail him as he clawed his way back from a 0-2 deficit to clinch the match in 5 games.

Joshana Chinappa bt Joey Chan 11-3, 11-8, 8-11, 11- 5 (32 min )

Dipika Pallikal bt Annie Au 11-8 12-10 11-8 (37min)

Pakistan bt India (2-0)

Farhan Mehboob bt Saurav Ghosal 10-12, 6-11, 11-7, 11-6, 11-9 (3-2)

Farhan Zaman bt Siddharth Suchde 11-7, 11-6, 11-13, 7-11, 11-9 (3-2)