Date:06/01/2009 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2009/01/06/stories/2009010651261800.htm

Sport - Squash

Impressive show by Indians

CHENNAI: With three Indians moving into the semifinal phase and three others reaching the quarterfinal stage, this has been the best overall performance by the Indian contingent at the British Junior Open being held at Sheffield.

Kush Kumar, winner at last week’s Scottish Junior playing his first European tour, defeated the higher ranked 3/4 seed Daniel Polichunk from Israel in a five-setter in the quarterfinals of the boys’ under-13 category.

Both Dipika Pallikal (girls’ under-19) and Mahesh Mangaonkar (boys’ under-15) also advanced to the semifinals. Mahesh defeated two Egyptians on Monday en route in convincing style.

Dipika dropped a game but set aside English girl Kimberly Hay’s challenge in 24 minutes on way to her semifinal.

Saumya Karki and Anaka Alankamony lost in the quarterfinal to the top seed and second seed respectively in the girls’ under-15 category.

In girls’ under-13, Pankhuri Malhotra fought well to lead but was unable to advance into the semifinal, losing to Egyptian Adel Radwa.

The results: Boys: U-13 (quarterfinals): Kush Kumar bt Daniel Polichunk (Isr) 8-11, 8-11, 11-5, 11-5, 11-9. Round 3: Kush Kumar bt Cheuk Hin Lo (HK) 11-2, 11-6, 3-11, 11-7.

U-15 (quarterfinals): Mahesh Mangaonkar bt Osama Khalifa (Egy) 11-1, 12-10, 11-9

Girls: U-19 (quarterfinals): Dipika Pallikal bt Kimberly Hay (Eng) 11-5, 5-11, 11-9, 11-4.

U-15 (quarterfinals): Saumya Karki lost to Kanzy El Dafraway (Egy) 5-11, 11-13, 7-11; Anaka Alankamony lost to Nour El Sherbeny (Egy) 3-11, 6-11, 6-11.

Round 3: Saumya Karki bt Haidi Lala (Eng) 11-7, 11-7, 12-10; Anaka Alankamony bt Brogan Lane (Eng) 11-3, 14-12, 11-6.

U-13 (quarterfinals): Pankhuri Malhotra lost to Adel Radwa (Eng) 11-7, 7-11, 7-11, 12-14.