Amazing win for Joshna

The world No. 20 next plays Joell King of New Zealand, who defeated Sarah-Jane Perry in straight games, in the semi-finals. Joshna had to dig deep against the 31st-ranked Salma, who had earlier packed off second seeded Laura Massaro of England.

Joshna Chinappa... making waves in New York.

Joshna Chinappa pulled off a amazing win against Egypt’s Salma Hany to sneak into the semi-finals of the USD50,000 Carol Weymuller Open squash tournament here on Saturday. Joshna, who had to qualify to enter the main draw, won the fierce battle 11-9, 8-11, 5-11, 11-8, 11-9 in the quarter-finals.

The world No. 20 next plays Joell King of New Zealand, who defeated Sarah-Jane Perry in straight games, in the semi-finals. Joshna had to dig deep against the 31st-ranked Salma, who had earlier packed off second seeded Laura Massaro of England.

Salma led 7-4 in the first game before Joshna found her lengths and repeatedly got the Egyptian off the T to win points.

But Salma was not to be pushed down as she came strongly to win the next two games with some accurate shot-making where the Indian came up with a few unforced errors. The intensity reached a crescendo in the fourth game which Salma, in her enthusiasm to close it out, went for a dive and hurt herself.

Joshna kept up the pressure and forced the match into the fifth game where points went neck and neck till the 10-9 match ball and when Salma sent a forehand drive out of the court, it was all over.