FINALS DAY IN CHENNAI

FINALS

Max and Joshna claim Asian Crowns in the Mall

[1] Max Lee (Hkg) 3-1 [2] Saurav Ghosal (Ind)  5/11, 11/4, 11/8, 11/7 (61m) [2] Joshna Chinappa (Ind) 3-2 [4] Dipika Pallikal Karthik (Ind) 13/15, 12/10, 11/13, 11/4, 11/4 (78m

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reports below ...

Joshna: Asian win is my biggest achievement

Report from First Post

India's highest-ranked squash player Joshna Chinappa has rated the maiden Asian Championship title as the biggest achievement of her long singles career.

The Asian crown is a big shot in the arm for the 30-year- old ahead of the Commonwealth and Asian Games next year.

Joshna, who had won the historic Commonwealth Games doubles gold with Dipika Pallikal in Glasgow three years ago, edged her longtime teammate in another tense battle in Chennai.

"I am first a singles player so this surely is one of the highlights of my career. The Commonwealth doubles gold was huge for both of us and now to win the Asian crown at home is extremely special," Joshna told PTI.

Joshna, who turned professional way back in 2003, has achieved multiple firsts in the past 12 months with her triumph in Chennai marking the end of a memorable season.

She broke into the top-10 of the world rankings in July last year and days before becoming the Asian champion, she reached the World Champion quarter-finals in Egypt, becoming the second Indian to do so after Pallikal.

"Though I have been playing better than ever the last two years, I feel I can bring out more out of my game. It is time I start beating the top-five players regularly, perform in big events," said Joshna, who is currently ranked 14th.

It was an unprecedented moment for Indian squash when Joshna and Pallikal stepped on the glass court at the Express AvenueMall in Chennai.

They both may be teammates for long but when pitted against each other, it is usually a fiercely fought battle with an odd push and shove being a common occurrence. Prior to the final, Pallikal had beaten Joshna three times in a row, including the latest senior nationals.

How different is it to play against a teammate and somebody who knows one's game in and out?

"It is tough to be honest. There are no secrets out there. We travel on the tour together and train at the academy in Chennai at least couple of times a week.

"But more than knowing each others' game, it is mentally tougher to play your compatriot, it is a lot more emotional as well. I am glad this time there was no pushing and shoving. It was all fair," she said on a lighter note.

Joshna and Dipika have started seeing more of each other. in the last six months with the latter shifting training base completely to hometown Chennai.

"All three of us in fact (including leading men's player Saurav Ghosal) train and travel together."

All three speak highly of India's Egyptian coach Ashraf El Karagi, who took charge in March.

"It has been very helpful to have him around. He understands my game well, what I need to do at a particular juncture of the match and advises me accordingly. Plus, he is travelling with us on the tour and therefore is able to rectify our mistakes instantly," she said.

Original report from First Post

Indian Express report 

TEN FROM THE FINALS

Joshna wins marathon all-Indian final

[2] Joshna Chinappa (Ind) 3-2 [5] Dipika Pallikal Karthik (Ind)  13/15, 12/10, 11/13, 11/4, 11/4 (78m)

Joshna Chinappa became India’s first Asian Squash Champion when she beat compatriot Dipika Pallikal in a tense and tough five game battle at the Express Avenue Mall. The first three games took the best part of an hour, all three going to extra points and both players having game balls in each. 

Dipika took the first and third, Joshna the second, but it was second seed Joshna who broke the pattern as she forged ahead in the fourth to set up a decider. The momentum was with her now, and a quick start to the fifth was, after a mid-game fightback from Dipika, converted into a first Asian Championship title. 

“It’s an unbelievable feeling to win such a prestigious title here in India in front of such a great crowd,” said Joshna.

“It was always going to be a tough game between us, and it really was tough. Those first three games could all have gone either way, I’m just so happy tat I could keep my focus and take the fourth and fifth.”

Max takes the title for Hong Kong

[1] Max Lee (Hkg) 3-1 [2] Saurav Ghosal (Ind)  5/11, 11/4, 11/8, 11/7 (61m)

The packed crowd at the Express Avenus Mall were hoping for a double Indian win today, and after Saurav Ghosal took the first game in commanding fashion against top seed Max Lee, that looked a distinct possibility. But, as Ghosal later admitted, Lee seemed to get stronger and played better as the match progressed.

He stormed back to level the match in a quick second game, pulled clear at the end of a long, close third, and then eased ahead in the fourth, reaching 10-5 before taking the title on his third championship ball.

“I didn’t play as well as I wanted to, and this isn’t what I came her for,” said Ghosal, “but all credit to Max, he played better s the match went on and was finding his shots well.”

Max’s response to the MC’s “how do you feel” question was “Tired, I need more water! “It’s a tough court to play on, and it was very hot and humid today. To be honest I wan’t even thinking about anything past the quarter-finals when I was coming here, so to reach the fina and to actually win it feels great. “There’s pressure on you as top seed, and having so many people watching, supporting your opponent makes it tough. But it’s a great atmosphere and it’s what squash needs.”

Finals in the Press

http://www.espn.in/espn/story/_/id/19281091/one-my-biggest-wins-ever http://www.thehindu.com/sport/other-sports/joshna-holds-off-dipika-for-title/article18343060.ece http://www.dnaindia.com/sport/report-india-s-saurav-ghosal-loses-at-the-asian-squash-final-2423218 http://www.sportstarlive.com/squash/srikanth-seshadri-squashs-hardman-on-the-hot-seat/article18340473.ece http://www.mid-day.com/articles/other-sports-news-joshna-chinappa-wins-asian-squash-title-dipika-pallikal-karthik/18212172 http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/joshna-chinappa-asian-squash-title-dipika-pallikal-squash/1/942388.html

TEN FROM SEMI-FINALS DAY

Semis in the Press

TIMES OF INDIA: First ever all-Indian final

SPORTS STAR: two friends and their fight for glory

http://www.thehindu.com/sport/other-sports/its-dipika-vs-joshna/article18311717.ece

http://www.ptinews.com/news/8657539_Chinappa--Pallikal-to-vie-for-women-s-title--Ghosal-in-final.html http://www.dtnext.in/News/Sports/2017/04/30000633/1032543/Squash-and-shopping-a-delightful-combo.vpf http://www.dtnext.in/News/Sports/2017/04/29223125/1032542/Velavan-has-promised-he-wont-leave-the-Tour-Achraf.vpf http://www.dtnext.in/News/Sports/2017/04/29222208/1032539/Dipika-Pallikal-and-Joshna-Chinappa-ensure-first-gold-.vpf http://www.dtnext.in/News/Sports/2017/04/29222455/1032540/All-credit-to-Achraf-Joshna.vpf http://indianexpress.com/article/sports/sport-others/first-ever-all-indian-final-in-asian-squash-championship-to-be-played-between-joshna-chinappa-and-dipika-pallikal-karthik-4633428/ http://www.deccanherald.com/content/609025/joshna-take-dipika.html http://www.sportstarlive.com/squash/asian-squash-two-friends-and-their-fight-for-glory/article18319104.ece http://www.sportstarlive.com/squash/dipika-inches-closer-to-history/article18308491.ece http://www.newspatrolling.com/an-all-indian-affair-in-asian-squash-finals/ http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/sport/joshna-dipika-set-up-title-clash/399827.html http://www.india.com/news/agencies/chinappa-pallikal-to-vie-for-womens-title-ghosal-in-final-2083210/ http://hindi.firstpost.com/sports/others/asian-squash-championship-chinappa-pallikal-set-up-all-india-final-first-time-ever-26826.html https://www.sportswallah.com/hi/news/squash/first-ever-all-indian-final-in-asian-squash-championship-to-be-played-between-joshna-chinappa-and-dipika-pallikal http://www.samaylive.com/sports-news-in-hindi/381000/pinalik-and-chinappa-will-fight-in-final.html

Day FOUR : Indian Semi-Final Hat-Trick

There was an Indian hat-trick on semi-finals day in Chennai, as men’s top seed Max Lee was joined in the final by Saurav Ghosal, who dethroned the defending champion, while the women’s final will be between Dipika Pallikal and Joshna Chinappa  - India’s first ever Asian finalists !!!

SEMI-FINALS:

[1] Max Lee (Hkg) 3-0  [3] Nafiizwan Adnan (Mas)  12/10, 11/6, 11/5 (51m) [2] Saurav Ghosal (Ind) 3-0 [5] Leo Au (Hkg)  11/6, 11/7, 11/3 (37m)

[4] Dipika Pallikal Karthik (Ind) 3-1   [1] Annie Au (Hkg)  11/9, 7/11, 11/7, 11/9  [2] Joshana Chinappa (Ind) 3-0 [6] Tong Tsz Wing (Hkg)  11/6, 11/4, 11/8

Updates on the Twitter Feed  |  Live Streaming

 Photos in the Gallery  |  Semi-Final Reports 

Saurav seals the hat-trick

[2] Saurav Ghosal (Ind) 3-0 [5] Leo Au (Hkg)    11/6, 11/7, 11/3 (37m)

The semi-final produced a third Indian winner in a row as Saurav Ghosal continued his impressive form of the tournament so far, despatching defending champion Le Au in straight games.

The Indian second seed was in control from the outset, and kept up the pressure and momentum to ensure that Leo never got a sniff of victory, closing out the match in just over half an hour.

“Leo’s a good player, he beat me last year in El Gouna and has had some good recent wins,” said Saurav. “So I’mm happy to be able to put in a performance like that, for the most part I did everything I wanted to today. “For the final, Max and I have played a lot, including many international team matches. He deserves to be there, he’s a hard worker and a great guy, but I know that it’s in my capabilities to put in a winning performance. “It’s a privilege playing here in front of such a great crowd, I hope they all come back and support us tomorrow!” 

Joshna ensures an Indian Champion

[2] Joshna Chinappa (Ind) 3-0 [6] Tong Tsz Wing (Hkg)  11/6, 11/4, 11/8 (29m)

Joshan Chinappa guaranteed a first ever Indian women’s champion as she despatched Hong Kong’s Tong Tsz Wing in straight games.

Chinappa had the upper hand throughout, taking the first two games quickly, and fending off a spirited comeback from Tong in the third.

“She had a good win yesterday, so I knew it wasn’t going to be easy,” said Joshna. “I played to try to make sure she couldn’t play her shots that she’s so dangerous from, and it worked for me today.

“Dipika and I knew we had a chance to lay each other in the final, so I hop everyone comes to support up - we don’t get this kind of appreciation anywhere else!”

Dipika drops top seed Annie

 [4] Dipika Pallikal Karthik (Ind) 3-1   [1] Annie Au (Hkg)  11/9, 7/11, 11/7, 11/9 (50m)

The growing Express Avenue crowd got the first of the Indian wins they came to see as Dipika Pallikal turned in a commanding performance to take out top seeded Annie Au.

The Hong Kong player made the better start, but Dipika overturned an early deficit to take the lead, Roles were reversed in the second as Annie levelled, but Dipika was back on top form as she took the third commandingly.

The crowd loved it when Dipika led 6-1 and 6-2 in the fourth, but were quietened as Annie fought back to 7-all. Dipika asserted again though, taking four points in a row to reach her first final.

“I’m so happy to be in the final!” said Dipika. “I was playing well to take the first, but couldn’t keep it up in the second as she came back, so I just had to refocus and focus on playing my game.

“I’ll just relax now and look forward to getting myself ready for the final. I hope our coach has an easy time tomorrow, watching an all-Indian final!”

Max makes the final

[1] Max Lee (Hkg) 3-0  [3] Nafiizwan Adnan (Mas)  12/10, 11/6, 11/5 (51m)

Top seed Max Lee, playing in his first Asians semi-final, beat 2011 champion Nafiizwan Adnan in straight games to reach the final for the first time.

The first game, 20 minutes long, was crucial. There was rarely more than a point between them, and it was the Malaysian who had the first game ball chance at 10-9. Three points in a row though gave Max the lead.

He was in charge for the next two games, establishing and holding early leads, and the end came quickly with a run of quick points and errors to finish the match.

“I’m happy, yes,” said Max. “I’m very pleased to be in the final at last, this is a tournament I haven’t done well in before.

“Wan made me work hard, but my confidence is growing now, I hope that whoever I play in the final we can have a great one.”

Consolation Semis

The Consolation competition moved from ISA to Express Avenue for the semis, as a prelude to the main semis.

Plate Semi-Finals :

MEN: Robert Garcia (Phi) 3-1 Ko Young-Jo (Kor)

Park Jong-Myoung (Kor) 3-1 Lydio Espinola Jr (Phi)

WOMEN: Park Eun Ok (Kor) 3-0 Au Yeong Wai Yhann (Sin)  11/5, 11/9, 11/4 (20m)

Lakshya Ragavan (Ind) 3-1 Sachika Ingale (Ind)  6/11, 11/7, 11/8, 11/8 (32m)

IN CASE YOU WERE WONDERING ...

Who does the fabulous graphics ? it’s Ajithkumar

How the Boom Camera Works ?  it’s magic ...

How high the Malaysian Girls can jump ?  not very

All these photos and more in today’s gallery

Quarters in the Press

Plenty of local coverage of the quarter-finals ...

DT NEXT : Good day for Indians http://www.dtnext.in/News/Sports/2017/04/29000737/1032465/Good-day-for-Indians.vpf

HINDU : Saurav reaches maiden semi-final http://www.thehindu.com/sport/other-sports/saurav-reaches-his-maiden-semifinals/article18280125.ece

THE FIELD SCROLL : Indians advance https://thefield.scroll.in/836002/saurav-ghosal-cruises-past-vikram-malhotra-to-advance-to-asian-squash-championship-semis

SPORTSTAR LIVE : Indians in Semis http://www.sportstarlive.com/squash/asian-squash-cship-saurav-joshna-in-semis/article18278005.ece

DT NEXT : How Vikram survived 

http://www.dtnext.in/News/Sports/2017/04/29001221/1032466/Had-to-get-into-coaching-to-survive-Vikram.vpf

NEWS ON AIR : Squash beats the Summer http://www.newsonair.com/news.asp?cat=sports&id=SN4047