Anaka, Joshna enter semis in Chennai Open

Chennai – Twice in arrears, young Anaka Alankamony defeated top seed Siti Munirah from Malaysia 4-11, 11-9, 8-11, 11-8, 11-4 to enter the semi-finals of the WSA Chennai Open squash tournament here Thursday.

Anaka, the 17-year old from Chennai and ranked 106, kept her nerves in a tight match that lasted 63 minutes and the 25-year old 40th ranked Malaysian eventually yielded ground under pressure.

Also advancing to the penultimate round was second seeded Joshna Chinappa who put out England’s Carrie Ramsey 11-7, 11-8, 11-6, in 31 minutes.

Joshna, playing in only her second tournament following a knee operation, showcased her abundant skills to tame the English girl.

The results (quarter-finals): Sarah Jane Perry(Eng) bt Victoria Bell (Eng) 8-11, 11-4, 11-9, 11-4 (38mins); Salma Hany (Egy) bt Pushppa Devi (Mas) 7-11, 12-10, 11-7, 11-8 (37mins); Joshana Chinappa (Ind) bt Carrie Ramsy (Eng) 11-7, 11-8, 11-6 (31 mins); Anaka Alankamony (Ind) bt Siti Munirah (Mas) 4-11, 11-9, 8-11, 11-8, 11-4 (63mins).