Joshna Chinappa wins Victorian Open title

Joshna Chinappa with her Victoria Open title

Indian champion Joshna Chinappa kept her date with glory after she beat Line Hansen, the second seed from Denmark 11-5, 11-4, 11-9 to bag the title in the $15,000 Victorian Open, a WSA event in Melbourne on Sunday.

It was a comprehensive win attained in just 32 minutes stay on court and the Indian in the process made it her tenth WSA title, the last being in the Richmond Open in April last year. Only last week Joshna had played Line in Kooyong and lost the match there. There was thus an additional resolve to avenge that loss and, when in form the Indian champion can be different.

Known for her dexterity in mixing strokes and accuracy in the placements, the Indian held the upper hand right through though, as she admitted, it was a “hard game” particularly after Line fought and brought the score to nine-all in the third game.

Coming as it did soon after her recent success in the National championship, Joshna was happy with her current form. With the Australian Open to start in a few days and the venue being the same, the Indian is doubly satisfied with the success. “I am so happy it will be at the same centre,” she said of the prospects ahead, though she knows the task is lot harder there.

For the record, the title in the men’s section went to Ryan Cuskelly (Aus) who beat Greg Lobban (Sco ) 12-10, 13-11, 11-9.