SRAM Invitational 2016: Joshna Chinappa books her place in the semi-finals
World No. 10 squash ace Joshna Chinappa booked her place in the semi-finals of the Women's SRAM Invitational 2016 with a comfortable straight-game win over the 14th ranked Jenny Duncalf in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Friday. The India No. 1 dismissed the Englishwoman, 11-7, 11-8, 11-3 in just 39 minutes.
This was the fourth-seeded Joshna’s second match of Pool A and her first win at this invitational tournament. With this win, she ended up second from her group which gave her the green signal for the semis. In the last-four stage, she will meet the ninth-ranked Joelle King of New Zealand, who is the best player from Pool B after a couple of flawless victories.
Earlier on Thursday, the 14-time Indian national champion went down fighting 8-11, 8-11, 10-12 to the top seed and former World No. 1 Nicol David at the arena named after the legend. The Malaysian’s victory over Chinappa had ensured her spot in the semis as she finished at the top of Pool A.
Also read: Joshna Chinappa breaks into top 10 in PSA World Squash Rankings
The eight-time world champion will now take on the second seed and World No. 8 Omneya Abdel Kawy of Egypt for a place in the summit clash.
The rest of the players in the draw – Jenny Duncalf and the 18th ranked Malaysian Delia Arnold will now battle it out for the 5th/6th place while the losers of the semi-finals will fight for the 3rd/4th place.
Those playoffs along with the final are scheduled on Sunday.
The top players have been using this event as a warm-up before the new PSA season kicks off next month. The first PSA World Series tournament – the Hong Kong Open begins on 23 August.