India ensure top eight finish at Women's World Squash

New Delhi: In only their third appearance in the event, India ensured themselves a top eight finish in the WSF Women's World Team Championship for the first time in Nimes after beating Netherlands today in a dramatic last 16 round tie in the World Squash Federation event being staged in France for the first time.

The event boasts a record entry of 26 nations and is being staged simultaneously at both the eight-court Club des Costières and La Parnasse Arena where, for the first time ever, action is taking place simultaneously on three all-glass show courts.

It was after defeating Argentina and upsetting Ireland in the pool stages that tenth seeds India today defeated Netherlands, the No8 seeds, 2/1.

Anaka Alankamony went on first against Milou van der Heijden. The 18-year-old Indian number three showed great maturity and resilience to play a simple medium paced basic game to overcome her opponent 11-8, 11-6, 11-5.

Dipika Pallikal went on next against former world No2 Natalie Grinham. From the outset, the Dutch champion was firing from all cylinders. Grinham used her drops and lobs to great effect to win 11-8, 11-4, 11-3 to level the tie.

In the decider, second string Joshana Chinappa dropped the first against a determined Dutch assault from Orla Noom. At 2/1 down, Chinappa returned to the court with renewed confidence and dropped just five further points to clinch a historic 5-11, 11-9, 8-11, 11-2, 11-3 win after 51 minutes to take India into the world's top eight for the first time.

"I had a game-plan, but I was a bit slow in the first two games, I was struggling to get used to the court," admitted the jubilant 26-year-old from Chennai afterwards. "I've played Orla lots of times, but haven't beaten her for six years - and that was definitely on my mind.

"Once I got my confidence, I felt much more comfortable. I didn't think about the significance of the match from the team's point of view, I just wanted to win.

"It's awesome to be part of the team which has got into the world's top eight for the first time - but I'm looking forward to taking it one step forward," added the world No32.

India national coach Cyrus Poncha was overjoyed with the achievement: "It's been a brilliant year for Indian squash - which started with reaching the U21 World Cup final, then third place in the world junior boys, and now in the women's top eight for the first time."

By Indian Sports News Network