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The India team was led by 21-year old, world number 14 Dipika Pallikal, Joshna Chinappa (world number 32), Asian Junior Champion Anaka Alankamony (world no. 73) and junior no. 2 Aparajitha Balamurukan (world no.142). Cyrus Poncha and Subramaniam Singaraveloo was the coach for the team.
The event had a record entry of 26 nations. India was seeded 10th and placed in Pool G.
Pool line-ups (with seeding in brackets):
Pool A: [1] England, [16] Scotland, [23] Republic of Korea
Pool B: [2] Egypt, [15] Wales, [24] Mexico
Pool C: [3] Malaysia, [14] South Africa, [19] China, [26] Spain
Pool D: [4] Hong Kong China, [13] Czech Republic, [20] Colombia, [25] Namibia
Pool E: [5] New Zealand, [12] USA, [22] Japan
Pool F: [6] Australia, [11] Canada, [18] Austria
Pool G: [7] Ireland, [10] India, [17] Argentina
Pool H: [8] Netherlands, [9] France, [21] Germany
India topped their pool with victories over higher ranked Ireland and Argentina. In the cross over (round of 16 pre quarterfinal) India defeated 8th seeded Netherlands. The Indians finally lost in the quarterfinal to the eventual winners Egypt.
In the play off matches the Indian lasses capped off impressive wins against 4th seeded Hong Kong and once again defeated Ireland to ensure a best-ever fifth place finish in the WSF Women’s World Team Squash Championship.
RESULTS
Pool Matches:
[10] INDIA bt [7] IRELAND 2/1
Dipika Pallikal bt Madeline Perry 11-9, 11-8, 7-11, 11-8
Joshana Chinappa lost to Aisling Blake 9-11, 11-7, 11-6, 8-11, 9-11
Anaka Alankamony bt Laura Mylotte 12-10, 11-3, 11-7
INDIA bt [17] ARGENTINA 3/0
Anaka Alankamony bt Maria Eugenia Bonilla 11-4, 11-4, 11-7
Joshana Chinappa bt Cecilia Cerquetti 11-6, 11-3, 11-4 (19m)
Dipika Pallikal bt Antonella Falcione 11-8, 11-7, 11-8
Pre Quarter Finals:
INDIA bt [8] NETHERLANDS 2/1
Anaka Alankamony bt Milou van der Heijden 11-8, 11-6, 11-5 (30m)Dipika Pallikal lost to Natalie Grinham 8-11, 4-11, 3-11 (20m)Joshana Chinappa bt Orla Noom 5-11, 11-9, 8-11, 11-2, 11-3 (51m)Quarter-finals:
[2] EGYPT bt [10] INDIA 3/0
Raneem El Weleily bt Dipika Pallikal 16-14, 11-4, 11-7 (31m)
Nour El Sherbini bt Joshana Chinappa 11-7, 11-6, 11-9 (26m)
Nour El Tayeb bt Anaka Alankamony 11-6, 11-3 (12m)
5th – 8th place play-offs:
[10] INDIA bt [4] HONG KONG CHINA 2/0
Dipika Pallikal bt Annie Au 11-5, 11-8, 5-11, 9-11, 11-5 (53m)
Anaka Alankamony bt Tong Tsz-Wing 11-5, 11-7, 11-9 (40m)
5th place play-off:
[10] INDIA bt [7] IRELAND 2/1
Joshana Chinappa bt Aisling Blake 10-12, 11-8, 11-7, 11-9 (48m)
Dipika Pallikal lost to Madeline Perry 7-11, 5-11, 13-15 (39m)
Anaka Alankamony bt Laura Mylotte 11-8, 11-7, 11-8 (25m)
This is only the third appearance for India in the event. The performance of the entire team has been credible, ensuring a best-ever fifth place finish in the WSF Women’s World Team Squash Championship.
