The Indian women’s Squash team settled for silver after losing to Hong Kong in the team final of the 18th Asian Games in Jakarta on Saturday.
Sunayna Kuruvilla and Joshna Chinappa lost their respective matches as India went down to familiar foes Hong Kong twice inside three days. The silver, a repeat of their 2014 feat, though remains Indian women Squash team’s best result at the Asiad.
World No.88 Kuruvilla began the proceedings for India facing the 51st ranked Tze Lok Ho. Having beaten her earlier in the group stage, when both the teams squared off against each other, Kuruvilla was expected to give India the lead. But despite bouncing back after falling two games behind, she failed to overcome her opponent.
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Kuruvilla eventually lost 8-11, 6-11, 12-10, 3-11.
Joshna Chinappa, who had just a day earlier shocked the world number one and five-time Asian gold medallist Nicol David in the semi-finals took on Foe Annie.
India’s highest-ranked women Squash player, Chinappa, however, looked a pale shadow of herself going down quite easily in the first set. She showed some grit and determination to fight back in the second game, but her efforts were dashed by the relentless attacks of Annie, who raced to a 2-0 lead.
Then in the third quarter, Chinappa looked completely beaten as Annie surged to a 10-2 lead to eventually seal the victory for Hong Kong. She lost 3-11, 9-11, 5-11 in straight sets.