Squash: Suraj Kumar Chand, Anjali Semwal storm into semis
BENGALURU, Sep 28: India’s Suraj Kumar Chand and Anjali Semwal kept the home flag flying at the Squash Indian Tour 3, a PSA Challenger event, by storming into the semifinals after strong quarterfinal victories in Bengaluru on Sunday. Second seed Suraj produced a commanding performance in the men’s draw, brushing aside fifth seed Sebastiaan Hofman of the Netherlands 11-2, 11-6, 11-4 in just 27 minutes. Dominant from the outset, the Indian hardly allowed Hofman any momentum, mixing sharp length with clinical finishing to book his place in the last four. Suraj will face Egypt’s Omar El Torkay in Monday’s semifinal, a clash expected to test his consistency against one of the most skillful players in the draw.In the women’s section, fourth seed Anjali Semwal showed both grit and flair to oust Malaysia’s Rui Jean Yek 11-7, 8-11, 11-7, 11-2 in 33 minutes. After being pushed into a four-game battle, Anjali raised her intensity in the third and fourth games, using precise drop shots and quick movement to outmaneuver her opponent. The Indian will now take on another Malaysian, Harleein Tan, for a spot in the final.While Suraj and Anjali carried Indian hopes into the semifinals, the day brought disappointment for other home players. Sixth seed Om Semwal ran into third seed Seif Shenawy of Egypt and was outclassed 5-11, 5-11, 6-11. Among the women, Sanya Vats went down 5-11, 5-11, 3-11 to Harleein Tan, while Nirupama Dubey fought hard but eventually lost 1-11, 11-9, 9-11, 4-11 to Malaysia’s Zoe Foo. Fifth seed Shameena Riaz also bowed out, falling 4-11, 5-11, 6-11 to top seed Menna Walid of Egypt.The contrasting fortunes of the Indian contingent highlighted the depth of international competition at the event, but Suraj and Anjali’s progress ensured home fans still have reasons to cheer. With both set to face higher-ranked opponents in the semifinals, the stage is set for an exciting Monday at the Karnataka State Squash Racquet Association courts.
Pranavi Urs gets Top 5 finish at Ladies Open de France
DEAUVILLE, (France), Sep 28: Pranavi Urs delivered a stellar performance on the final day of the Ladies Open de France, carding a 6-under 65 which propelled her to a tie for fifth place at the Golf Barriere de Deauville.The 65 was three strokes better than her second-round effort. It was a big boost ahead of next week’s Women’s Indian Open.Diksha Dagar, the other Indian in the field, posted an even-par 71, concluding the tournament tied 46th at one under overall.Canadian teenager Anna Huang captured her second title in consecutive weeks with a final-round 6-under 65, finishing at 16 under par for the tournament.Pranavi got off to a flying start with an eagle on the second hole, followed by back-to-back birdies on the fourth and fifth, reaching 4 under. Despite bogeys on the seventh and ninth, she turned in 2 under par.On the back nine, she regained momentum, carding birdies on the 10th, 13th, 16th, and 17th holes, with no further bogeys, finishing the tournament at 10 under. Dagar made birdies on the second, fourth, and 12th holes but had bogeys on the eighth, 11th, and 17th, resulting in an even-par 71.The LET now has a one-break before heading to India for the Women’s Indian Open, which takes place at DLF Golf and Country Club between October 9-12. (IANS)
Squash: Abhay Singh stuns world no. 5 in Qatar Classic
DOHA, Sep 28: Indian squash player Abhay Singh on Sunday stunned world no 5 Karim Gawad from Egypt in the opening round of the Qatar Classic squash, a USD 231,500 PSA Platinum event, here.Abhay, India’s top-ranked player on the PSA tour at 35, won 11-6, 11-4, 1-11, 11-9 in 41 minutes in what was his first victory over a top-five player.Abhay will meet Egyptian world no. 15 Fares Dessouky in the round-of-16 on Monday.India’s Ramit Tandon, ranked 36, lost to Egyptian world no 1 Mostafa Asal 4-11, 7-11, 4-11 in the first round. (PTI)
