India has never had it so good at the Asian individual squash championships before.
Three Indians in the final of the 2017 edition, including an all-Indian women’s summit clash, will certainly provide the sport the much-needed acceptance, what with a decent attendance at the Express Avenue Mall here on Saturday.
In the final on Sunday, Dipika Pallikal will take on compatriot Joshna Chinappa.
As expected, in the last match of the day, India’s Saurav Ghosal defeated Leo Au of Hong Kong in straight games to make it to the men’s final for the first time. Ghosal will clash with top-seeded Max Lee.
The match of the day was undoubtedly the one between Dipika and top-seeded Annie Au.
A crafty lefty, if not powerful, Annie depends on placements and retrievals. The Indian negated it all with powerful drives and deft placements.
After a close first game, which she won 11-9, Dipika ran up a 7-3 lead only to see Annie fight back to 7-7 with three ‘nicks’ helping her.
However, the Indian was not ready to change her game plan despite the loss.
Dipika took a handy 7-3 lead in the third game, and saw Annie again catch up to 7-7, but Dipika's power-packed drives saved her.
In the fourth game, Dipika wasn't troubled much.
“Head-to-head, Annie was 7-2 up against me and I wanted to cut down the margin,” said Dipika.
Later she said: “We are on track for next year’s Asian Games. For me and Joshna the ultimate aim is to win a gold at the Asian Games.”
Joshna didn’t encounter any such problems against Tong Tsz Wing of Hong Kong.
Considering the way Tong played against third-seeded Joey Chan the other day, it was believed it would not be easy for Joshna.
But the 30-year-old World No. 14, was clinical in her victory.
“It is a big day for Indian squash,” said Joshna. “Of course, Nicol David wasn’t here. But, the tournament has shown where we stand.”
On facing Dipika, Joshna said: “It is another day at the Academy.”
CORRECTION: It was not Ghosal’s maiden entry into the semifinals of the Asian individual championship as he had made the last four in 2010. The error is regretted.
The results (semifinals):
Men: 1-Max Lee (Hkg) bt 3-Mohd. Nafiizwan Adnan (Mas) 12-10, 11-6, 11-5; 2-Saurav Ghosal (Ind) bt 5-Leo Au (Hkg) 11-6, 11-7, 11-3.
Women: 4-Dipika Pallikal (Ind) bt 1-Annie Au (Hkg) 11-9, 7-11, 11-7, 11-9; 2-Joshna Chinappa (Ind) bt 6-Tong Tsz Wing (Hkg) 11-6, 11-4, 11-8.
