Kamal Ghorui
Top seed Anahat Singh and unseeded compatriot Tanvi Khanna ensured a strong Indian presence in the women’s singles semifinals of the Indian Open Squash Championship at the Cricket Club of India (CCI) courts in Mumbai on Friday.However, it was a disappointing outing for local favourite Joshna Chinappa, who exited the tournament after a 1–3 defeat to Egypt’s Nadien El Hammamy.
All-Indian Semifinal Confirmed
Saturday’s semifinals will witness an exciting all-Indian clash between Anahat and Tanvi, guaranteeing a place for India in the final. In the other semifinal, second seed Hana Moataz will face El Hammamy.Anahat Cruises into Last FourAnahat Singh showcased her dominance with a clinical 3–0 (11-2, 11-6, 11-4) victory over Malaysia’s Sehveetrraa Kumar.The top seed stormed through the opening game with ease and maintained control throughout the match. Despite a slightly stronger challenge in the second game, Anahat’s combination of power and deception proved too good, as she comfortably sealed her spot in the semifinals.Tanvi Stuns Fourth SeedTanvi Khanna delivered one of the standout performances of the day, upsetting fourth seed Ainaa Amani 3–1 (11-6, 7-11, 11-5, 11-8).After taking the first game, Tanvi briefly lost momentum as Amani levelled the match, but the Indian regained composure to dominate the final two games and secure her semifinal berth.Joshna Falls to El HammamyJoshna Chinappa started strongly against El Hammamy and even fought back in the second game, but struggled to handle the Egyptian’s pace and precision.El Hammamy raised her intensity in the latter stages to claim the final two games and complete a convincing 3–1 (11-8, 8-11, 11-6, 11-1) victory.Moataz Wins Five-Game ThrillerIn another quarterfinal, Hana Moataz edged past Malaysia’s Yasshmita Jadishkumar in a gripping five-game contest, winning 3–2 (11-8, 8-11, 7-11, 11-7, 11-8).
Results – Women’s Quarterfinals
- Anahat Singh (IND) bt Sehveetrraa Kumar (MAS) 3-0 (11-2, 11-6, 11-4)
- Hana Moataz (EGY) bt Yasshmita Jadishkumar (MAS) 3-2 (11-8, 8-11, 7-11, 11-7, 11-8)
- Tanvi Khanna (IND) bt Ainaa Amani (MAS) 3-1 (11-6, 7-11, 11-5, 11-8)
- Nadien El Hammamy (EGY) bt Joshna Chinappa (IND) 3-1 (11-8, 8-11, 11-6, 11-1)
