WISPA Indian Challenger 2011: Dipika and Joshana in Quarters

Dipika and Joshana

Indian top stars Dipika Pallikal and Joshna Chinappa progressed to the quarterfinals on a day when all eight seeds took their appointed places in the last eight while hosts’ qualifiers Aparajitha Balamurugan and Lakshya Ragavendran bite the dust in the season’s first WISPA Indian Squash Challenger series here today at the Indian Squash Academy.

Second seeded Dipika, world ranked 23, was forced to drop a game before winning against Siyali Waters of South Africa 11-7, 11-7, 8-11, 11-0 in 38 minutes, while Joshana (4^th seed- world ranked 32) was in total control executing her shots to perfection in straight games victory over Czech Olga Ertlova at 11-9, 11-3, 11-5 in 30 minutes.

Dipika take on eighth seeded Melody Francis of Australia while Joshna plays sixth seed Misaki Kobayashi in the quarterfinal tomorrow.

However, the hosts’ interest centered around the match between top seed Donna Urquhart of Australia and a promising Indian school girl, Anaka Alankamony in the centre court. For her part, Anaka was not overawed playing the top seed but had her share of appreciation from the sparse crowd and displayed excellent returns to gain points, especially in the third game. In all counts, it was a close match where in Donna had to bring in her experience to get the better of Anaka, who lost the first two at 9-11, 3-11 but the manner in which she held control over a higher ranked player caught the eye of everyone. On few occasions, Anaka had the set score in the third game (13-12, 14-13) but could not withstand the pressure brought about by Donna.

As for the other Indian stars, Aparajitha and Lashya, who fought their way beating higher ranked overseas stars in the qualifying event yesterday made their exit. But, Aparajitha’s match against fifth seed Siti Munirah of Malaysia generated great interest as the Indian was lead with a game score of 2-1 mid way the match.

Aparajitha was in total command over the proceedings in the first game which she wrapped up in quick time (11-7) but the Malaysian came back strongly in the second at 11-9. After Aparajitha took the third at 11-8, Siti, who found her rhythm had little difficulty in clinching the next two games at 11-2, 11-6 in the 44 minutes tie.Dipika and Joshana are will meet in the Semi-Final if both manages to win their respective Quarter Final matches.

Results:

1 *Donna Urquhart, AUS def. Anaka Alankamony, IND, 11-9 11-3 17-15(32m) .2*Dipika Pallikal, IND def. Siyoli Waters, RSA, 11-7 11-7 8-11 11-0(38m)3*Lisa Camilleri, AUS def. Laura Pomportes, FRA, 11-4 11-3 11-6(19m) .4*Joshana Chinappa, IND def. Olga Ertlova, CZE, 11-9 11-3 11-5(30m) .5*Siti Munirah, MAS def. Q*Aparajitha Balamurukan, IND, 7-11 11-9 8-11 11-6 11-2 (44m).6*Misaki Kobayashi, JPN def. Sarah Cardwell, AUS, 11-8 11-5 11-7(29m) .7*Tenille Swartz, RSA def. Q*Lakshya Ragavendran, IND, 11-3 11-6 11-3(19m) .8*Melody Francis, AUS def. Adel Weir Nunan, RSA, 11-4 11-6 11-3(18m) .[Q*= Host Qualifiers]

Quarter Final DrawsDonna Urquhart vs Tenille SwartzLisa Camilleri vs Siti MunirahMisaki Kobayashi vs Joshana ChinappaDipika Pallikal vs Melody Francis