World Junior Women's Squash Championships - Day 1

After a morning win for India over France the scene was set for what was essentially the decisive match in Pool C against Hong Kong.

Hong Kong took the advantage as Tze-Lok Ho beat Aparajitha Balamurukan 17-15 in the fourth in a thriller that had both teams on the edge of their seats and brought players from the other courts over to watch at regular intervals. Aparajitha got off to a slow start and never seemed to recover against Ho who kept the pressure with her retrieving skills. Aparajitha played well in the third and had a very close fourth game, but Ho edged out Aparajitha in the fourth..

Indian nerves were settled when Asian Junior Champion (u19) Anaka Alankamony put in an assured performance to demolish Asian Junior champion (u17) Ka-Po Ho 11-0, 11-5, 11-3. Anaka was ruthless and won the match dropping only 8 points.

Saumya Karki completed the comeback, beating Ka-Yi Lee 12-10, 11-8, 11-6, playing some blistering drives and volleys Saumya kept the tempo for the entire duration to seal the victory for India.

India play Ecuador tomorrow and is assured of topping Pool C.

Results[3] India 3-0 [11] FranceAparajitha Balamurukan 3-2 Marie Stephan 9-11, 10-12, 11-8, 11-8, 11-7 (40m)Anaka Alankamony 3-0 Melissa Alves 12-10, 12-10, 11-6 (29m)Saumya Karki 3-2 Julia Lecoq 7-11, 11-5, 11-4, 9-11, 11-7 (33m)

[3] India 2-1 [6] Hong KongAparajitha Balamurukan 1-3 Tze-Lok Ho 3-11, 8-11, 11-8, 15-17 (42m)Anaka Alankamony 3-0 Ka-Po Ho 11-0, 11-5, 11-3 (23m)Saumya Karki 3-0 Ka-Yi Lee 12-10, 11-8, 11-6 (26m)