Oracle Netsuite women's squash Open | Joshna Chinappa upsets Joelle King to secure semi-final berth
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Joshna Chinappa has made a big impact with an 11-9, 6-11, 11-3 upset win over fourth seeded Joelle King for a place in the semi-final of the Oracle Netsuite Open, a world tour gold event here late on Friday. She had an easy 11-7, 6-11, 11-6 win over Melissa Alves for a place in the quarters.
Fresh from here national success in June, the 8th seeded Joshna, playing her first big event since started the tournament on a quiet note. She had a bye in the first round and then an easy 11-7, 6-11, 11-6 win over unseeded Melissa Alves of France for a place in the quarters. Against the world ranked six King, her record has never been outstanding having lost many times but it was a different moment this time.
Showing assurance and keeping a good length in her returns, the Indian matched the rival stroke for stroke. Though there was a slip in the second game when Joelle seemed to return to her aggressive ways, Joshna assured the winning trend did not desert her. It was a gutsy show overall that took her 35 minutes to complete.
Responding to her big win, Mr Cyrus Poncha, the SRFI Secretary General said, “this is a brilliant start to the season for Joshna. We wish her more success ahead.”
Joshna is set to meet the top seed Raneem El Welily of Egypt and world number one on Sunday.
