Squash women slip in final, take silver

Jakarta, Sept. 1: The Indian women’s squash team finished second best to a clinical Hong Kong in the final, settling for a successive silver at the 18th Asian Games here on Saturday.

Sunayna Kuruvilla and India number one Joshna Chinappa lost their respective singles as the team suffered its second defeat against Hong Kong in a space of three days.

A silver was a creditable performance nonetheless, having surprised defending champions Malaysia in the semifinals on Friday.

With a runners-up finish, India equalled their best ever performance at the Games. They had also reached the final at Incheon four years ago.

The Indian contingent ended with five medals overall including the women’s team silver, men’s team bronze and three bronze medals in the individual event.

The first singles was between the weakest players in both teams with world number 88 Kuruvilla taking on 51st ranked Tze Lok Ho.

The Indian, however, trailed 3-9 in the fourth game and could not produce another fight back losing 8-11, 6-11, 1210, 3-11.

Next up was a must-win match for India as Chinappa, conqueror of eight-time world champion Nicol David in the semifinals, faced familiar foe Annie.

The Indian squash team equalled their best ever performance at the Asian Games. They had also reached the final at Incheon four years ago.

The Indian contingent ended with five medals overall including the women’s team silver, men’s team bronze and three bronze medals in the individual event.