WSF World Junior Women's Team Championships: Canada upset India in play-offs

Canadian girls won the crucial points to claim victory over the Indians in the 5th-8th play-off at WSF World Junior Women’s Team Championship in Wroclaw, Poland.

With the tie finely poised at a match apiece and her own match in a knife edge, Sachika could not find the magical touch to take her team to victory.

Harshit Kaur Jawanda gave India a perfect start with a 3-0 win over Canadian No.1 Hollie Naughton. Harshit was absolutely dominant in winning the first game to 4 on the back of some superb drives and drops. Hollie, with her ankle heavily strapped, put up brave resistance in the second and the third games. But, Harshit played a smart game, moving Hollie around the court, and eventually forced the errors to win two tight games to put India ahead.

Lakshya Ragavendran raced away to a 6/0 lead and closed out a comfortable first game 11/6 against Alyssa Mehta in the crucial second match. Alyssa kept it tight in the second and at 8/8, Alyssa won a couple of good points to take the game 11/8.

Lakhsya’s shoulders dropped and her intensity vanished allowing Alyssa to race away with the third game. Trailing 2/7 in the fourth game, Lakshya finally found the spirit to get out of the rut and put up a fight. While Lakshya narrowed the gap, Alyssaa had enough of a lead to close out the match 12/10 and level the tie at 1-1.

With the outcome of the tie hinging on the final match, Chloe Chemtob took Sachika Ingale by surprise with her attacking play to take the first two games 11/6 and 11/8. Slowly but surely, Sachika worked her way back into the match, slowing the tempo to suit her game and reined in her aggression.

Sachika’s tactical shift paid rich dividends as she won the next two games to take the match into a decider. The final game proved every bit as enthralling as one could expect.

Sachika, trailing 8-10, played couple of wonderful volleys to save the match points and draw level. But, she followed those two saves with an easy miss on her forehand volley into an open court and a backhand into the tin to lose the game 10-12, match and tie to Canada.

India take on New Zealand in the final match in a bid to finish 7th.