Hangzhou: India’s women’s squash team has earned a spot in the semi-finals of the Asian Games 2023, ensuring a medal for the nation despite a challenging loss to Malaysia in their Pool B match. The trio of Joshana Chinappa, Tanvi Khanna, and Anahat Singh displayed commendable performances throughout the tournament, propelling them into the semi-finals.
Malaysia clinched the top spot in Pool B with convincing victories against Pakistan, Macau, and India. The Indian team secured their semi-final berth as the second-ranked team in the pool, courtesy of their triumphs over Pakistan and Macau.
The journey to the semi-finals kicked off on a positive note for India, with a resounding 3-0 victory against Pakistan. The team maintained their momentum, securing another clean sweep against Macau. However, they faced a formidable Malaysian squad in the pool stage’s final match.
Veteran player Joshna Chinappa encountered a tough challenge against Subramaniam Sivasangari, enduring a 6-11, 2-11, 8-11 defeat. Despite her experience, Chinappa struggled against the last edition’s silver medalist in the individual women’s squash event.
In the following match, Tanvi Khanna showcased her resilience against Commonwealth Games gold medalist Aifa Binti Azman. Khanna claimed the first game 11-9, but Aifa mounted a strong comeback, resulting in a see-saw battle. The contest went to a fifth and final game, where Aifa secured a hard-fought victory, sealing the match 3-2.
The concluding league match featured 15-year-old Anahat Singh, who displayed promise but fell short against Malaysia’s Rachel Mae Arnold. Despite her efforts, the more experienced opponent secured the victory in straight sets (7-11, 7-11, 12-14).
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