Victorian Open: Kush Kumar, Mahesh Mangaonkar and Joshana Chinappa reach quarterfinals

Joshana Chinappa

The $15,000 Victorian Open squash in Melbourne continues to provide good tidings for the Indians with Kush kumar and Mahesh Mangaonkar moving into the quarter finals. Also to reach the last eight is Joshana Chinappa in the women’s section.

However, a little disappointment came through the exit of 12th seed Sachika Ingale after a fighting show in the first round. She lost to the sixth seed Amanda Landers Murphy of New Zealand in straight games 11-7, 11-2, 11-2.

But third seed Joshana was in fine touch as she made short work of Selena Shaikh of Australia 11-5, 11-5, 11-2.

In the men’s section, the unseeded Kush, a trainee at the Indian Squash Academy, kept his hopes alive with another encouraging display against Kashif Shuja of New Zealand. A brief lull saw him lose ground initially, but Kush emerged victorious with a score of 8-11, 11-3, 11-6, 11-3.

Even more pronounced was Mahesh ’s form as he swept aside Joshua Larkins of Australia in straight games 11-5, 11-6, 11-7.