India eves inch closer to podium with twin wins
26 Sept 2014 4:02 AM IST
Chinappa and Anaka Alankamony won their matches after India number one Pallikal lost the opening singles to Hong Kong’s top player Annie Au in five gruelling games at the Yeorumul Squash Courts. India had it easier later in the day against Pakistan.
India, who had to settle for a bronze in Guangzhou four years ago, have a good chance winning at least a silver here.Having beaten the fancied Hong Kong unit and Pakistan, they should beat China on Thursday enroute to topping the group. In that scenario, India are likely to face either Korea or Japan from the other group in the semifinals. It is highly unlikely that Japan or Korea will finish ahead of mighty Malaysia in Pool A.
India’s first ever women’s singles bronze medallist at Asian Games went down fighting to 11th-ranked Annie 11-5, 6-11, 8-11, 12-10, 9-11, giving the opposition early advantage.
Pallikal’s longtime teammate and word no. 21 Chinappa had to win against 23rd-ranked Joey Chan to keep India alive in the tie. She staged a remarkable recovery to keep her team afloat in the competition, coming back from two games down to win 6-11, 8-11, 11-5, 11-9, 11-9. World no. 158 Anaka Alankamony then beat Tong Tsz Wing 11-8, 11-13, 11-9, 11-5 to seal the match in favour of India.
India, who had to settle for a bronze in Guangzhou four years ago, have a good chance winning at least a silver here.Having beaten the fancied Hong Kong unit and Pakistan, they should beat China on Thursday enroute to topping the group. In that scenario, India are likely to face either Korea or Japan from the other group in the semifinals. It is highly unlikely that Japan or Korea will finish ahead of mighty Malaysia in Pool A.
India’s first ever women’s singles bronze medallist at Asian Games went down fighting to 11th-ranked Annie 11-5, 6-11, 8-11, 12-10, 9-11, giving the opposition early advantage.
Pallikal’s longtime teammate and word no. 21 Chinappa had to win against 23rd-ranked Joey Chan to keep India alive in the tie. She staged a remarkable recovery to keep her team afloat in the competition, coming back from two games down to win 6-11, 8-11, 11-5, 11-9, 11-9. World no. 158 Anaka Alankamony then beat Tong Tsz Wing 11-8, 11-13, 11-9, 11-5 to seal the match in favour of India.
Next Story
