HKFC International: Joshna Chinappa enters semi-finals; Dipika Pallikal exits
India’s No. 1 women’s squash player Joshna Chinappa showed her mettle as she grabbed a narrow five-game win over the former World No. 1 Rachael Grinham to enter the semi-finals of the $25,000 MEML HKFC International 2016 in Hong Kong on Thursday. But curtains came down on the campaign of the India No. 2 Dipika Pallikal as she went down to the top seed Joelle King in straight games.
Gritty win for Chinappa
Third seed and World No. 13 Chinappa had a terrific start to her match as she edged ahead by pocketing the first two games 15-13 and 11-6. Her Australian opponent Grinham had been involved in a marathon five-game duel with Tesni Evans in the first round on Wednesday and the effects clearly showed.
But the 39-year-old, who reached the pinnacle of the world rankings in 2004, could not be kept at bay for a long time. She started varying the length of the rallies and moving the 29-year-old Indian all over the court.
Her efforts paid off as Joshna struggled to keep up with her pace and conceded the next two games 6-11 and 9-11. However, Chinappa was able to regroup in the decider and clinched the win, 15-13, 11-6, 6-11, 9-11, 11-4 in 40 minutes.
She will next face the second seed and World No. 10 Annie Au whom she beat in straight games at the Asian Squash Team Championships just a few days back.
Pallikal crashes out
In contrast, it was an uphill task for the 19th ranked Pallikal as she was facing the top seed and World No. 9 Joelle King of New Zealand. Dipika did give a tough fight but it was not enough against the determined 27-year-old who won 11-8, 11-6, 11-8 in 36 minutes.