Thaindian News

Chennai, Oct 8 (IANS) The top two Indian women squash players, Joshna Chinappa and Dipika Pallikal, ensured that the host nation would have a finalist in the WISPA Challenger-2 tournament as the duo set up a semi-final clash here Thursday.
Both Joshna and Dipika came through their quarter-final matches without much ado while in the other semi-final, top seed Sharon Wee of Malaysia takes on Orla Noom, the third seed from the Netherlands.

Joshna, seeded second, ousted Laura Pomporters of France 11-5, 11-5, 11-6 in mere 25 minutes and sixth seeded Dipika did even better by taking just 17 minutes to knock out Jenna Gates of England 11-2, 11-8, 11-4.

In the PSA Challenger-4 tournament for men, top seed and World No.29, Chris Simpson of England went down to sixth seeded Ivan Yuen (94) of Malaysia.

Yuen, who had won the Asian junior championship, last year at the same venue, had to battle hard for his 11-8, 11-8, 8-11, 8-11, 11-2 in 70 minutes of duel.

Next up for Yuen is compatriot and fifth seed Mohd Asyraf Azan while third seeded Mathieu Castagnet of France squares off against second seeded Mark Krajcsak of Hungary.

Results (quarter-finals):

PSA Challenger-4: Ivan Yuen (6, MAS) bt Chris Simpson (1, ENG) 11-8, 11-8, 8-11, 8-11, 11-2 (70 mins); Mohd Asraf Azan (5, MAS) bt Matthew Karwarski (Aus) 11-6, 7-11, 7-11, 11-7, 12-10 (60-mins); Mathieu Castagnet (3, FRA) bt Mazan Gamal (7, EGY) 11-4, 11-5, 11-4 (22 mins); Mark Krajcsak (2, HUN) bt Shamsul Islam Khan (8, PAK) 11-5, 11-7, 5-11, 11-1 (32 mins).

WISPA Challenger-2: Sharon Wee (1, MAS) bt Anwesha Reddy (IND) 11-7, 11-6, 11-3 (22 Mins); Orla Noom (3, NED) bt Siti Munirah Jusoh (5, MAS) 11-9, 11-4, 8-11, 11-4 (36 Mins); Dipika Pallikal (6, IND) bt Jenna Gates (ENG) 11-2, 11-8, 11-4 (17 Mins); Joshna Chinappa (2, IND) bt Laura Pomportes (FRA) 11-5, 11-5, 11-6 (25 Mins).