Number two seed Mohamed Reda came up with a scintillating
performance to defeat home favourite Harinder Pal Singh Sandhu in
the final of the JSW Indian Squash Circuit Chennai, PSA M10 event
and secure his second PSA World Tour title in his last three
tournaments.
The Egyptian second seed sealed his spot in the final after an
assured 3-0 victory over compatriot Mazen Gamal in the previous
round while Sandhu, appearing on home soil, swept to victory against
18-year-old Youssef Soliman.
Game one featured a number of long, engaging rallies before some
errors from Sandhu handed Reda three game balls. The Indian No.3
fought back to force a tie-break but Reda stood firm to claim the
opener by a 13-11 score line.
The pair traded blow for blow in the second game, with a mix of
attritional rallies contrasting with some fantastic artistry at the
front of the court. It was unforced errors again that proved to be
Sandhu’s undoing as Reda pulled away at the end of the game to
double his advantage.
World No.58 Reda surged into an early lead in the third but Sandhu
pegged him back with the game evenly poised at the mid-way mark.
After a gruelling rally, Sandhu appeared to have gotten the better
of his opponent, having edged closer to clawing a game back, but
Reda overturned the number one seed’s lead, recording an 13-11,
11-7, 11-9 victory to capture his 13th PSA World Tour title.
“I knew I had a tough challenge playing against Harinder on his home
court,” said Reda.
“However, I have played on this court several times so it helped me
to win the final. It’s great to win my second tournament in the last
month on the PSA World Tour. I will definitely be back next year to
play in the JSW Indian Squash Circuit.”
Men's
Event
Egyptian qualifier Youssef Soliman came up with the
day’s big upset with a fine 3-1 victory over number four seed
Mohamed Elgawarhy in the first round of the JSW Indian Squash
Circuit Chennai, PSA M10 event.
The 18-year-old, who reached the final of the World Junior
Championship back in July, dropped the opening game to his more
experienced opponent before battling back to take three games
without reply to secure a 7-11, 11-9, 11-6, 11-7 triumph.
Soliman will go up against Abdullah Al Muzayen in the quarter-final
after the Asian Games gold medallist defeated compatriot Ammar
Altamimi 3-2.
Another qualifier, Mohd Syafiq Kamal, is through to the next round
after overcoming Matias Tuomi in four. The Malaysian’s reward us a
meeting with top seed Harinder Pal Singh Sandhu in the quarter-final
after the Indian No.3 eased by Velavan Senthilkumar in straight
games.
Elsewhere, number two seed Mohamed Reda is through to last eight
where he will face talented teenager Kush Kumar after the pair
scored respective wins against Ravi Dixit and Chi Him Wong.
Joel Makin benefitted from an injury to Muhammad Hannan to reach the
next stage and Mazen Gamal will be his opponent there after he saw
off Vijay Kumar.
Women's
Event
Tsz-Ling Takes Title in Chennai
Liu Tsz-Ling mounted a magnificent come back from a 2-0 deficit to
defeat England’s Mille Tomlinson in the final of the JSW Indian
Squash Circuit Chenai, PSA W10 tournament.
The number three seed defeated compatriot Tong Tsz-Wing in the
semi-final while Tomlinson downed second seed Nouran El Torky in
their last four fixture.
The match began with some cagey rallies being played out in front of
a capacity crowd and it was Tomlinson who claimed the opener,
benefitting from some errors from Tsz-Ling to achieve a 11-7
triumph. Tomlinson started smartly in the second, powering through
to an unassailable lead which allowed her to double her advantage.
Tsz-Ling came out fighting in game three and stormed into an
emphatic lead, eventually taking it 11-1 after an onslaught of
attacking squash. The momentum changed significantly from that
moment on as Tsz-Ling came through a tightly-contested fourth game
to level proceedings with a 11-8 victory.
The 24-year-old kept her opponent at arm’s length in the fifth and
final game and, despite a late revival from Tomlinson in the latter
stages, saw the match out with a 7-11, 6-11, 11-1, 11-8, 11-7 to
capture her fourth PSA World Tour title of 2015.
“I am very happy as this the biggest tournament I have ever won,”
said Tsz-Ling.
“I think I played very well, especially when I was 2-0 down. Even in
the semi-final I was 2-1 down. I never give up and I kept telling
myself to just focus on the game, point by point and I could win the
match.”
Result – Final: JSW Indian Squash Circuit Chennai 2015
[3] Liu Tsz-Ling (HKG) bt [4] Millie Tomlinson (ENG) 3-2: 7-11,
6-11, 11-1, 11-8, 11-7 (68 mins)
Liu Tsz-Ling mounted a magnificent comeback from a 2-0 deficit to
defeat England’s Mille Tomlinson in the final of the JSW Indian
Squash Circuit Chenai, PSA W10 tournament.
The number three seed defeated compatriot Tong Tsz-Wing in the
semi-final while Tomlinson downed second seed Nouran El Torky in
their last four fixture.
The match began with some cagey rallies in front of a capacity crowd
and it was Tomlinson who claimed the opener, benefitting from some
errors from Tsz-Ling to achieve a 11-7 triumph. Tomlinson started
smartly in the second, powering through to an unassailable lead
which allowed her to double her advantage.
Tsz-Ling came out fighting in game three and stormed into an
emphatic lead, eventually taking it 11-1 after an onslaught of
attacking squash. The momentum changed significantly from that
moment on as Tsz-Ling came through a tightly-contested fourth game
to level proceedings with a 11-8 victory.
The 24-year-old kept her opponent at arm’s length in the fifth and
final game and, despite a late revival from Tomlinson in the latter
stages, saw the match out with a 7-11, 6-11, 11-1, 11-8, 11-7 to
capture her fourth PSA World Tour title of 2015.
“I am very happy as this the biggest tournament I have ever won,”
said Tsz-Ling.
“I think I played very well, especially when I was 2-0 down. Even in
the semi-final I was 2-1 down. I never give up and I kept telling
myself to just focus on the game, point by point and I could win the
match.”
Women’s Event
All top eight seeds, led by title favourite Milou van der Heijden,
eased through to the JSW Indian Squash Circuit Chennai, PSA W10
quarter-final after seeing off their unseeded counterparts.
Dutchwoman van der Heijden advanced after a straightforward victory
against Sadia Gul. The World No.43 used her superior courtcraft to
open up a number of opportunities as she carved through her opponent
with an 11-1, 13-11, 11-8 triumph.
She lines up against Tong Tsz-Wing in the next round after the
seventh seed saw off home hope Sachika Ingale in straight games.
Egypt’s Nouran El Torky is also through to the next round after a
comfortable 3-0 victory at Sammer Anjum’s expense. El Torky
progresses to do battle with Zulhijjah Binti Azan in the last eight
thanks to the Malaysian’s win over Apoorva AVS Samita.
Number three seed Liu Tsz-Ling dispatched Sunayna Kuruvilla 3-1 to
set up a quarter-final clash with Vanessa Raj who dumped out
wildcard Akanksha Salunkhe.
Meanwhile, Nash Cup finalist Millie Tomlinson continued her recent
impressive form with a 3-0 triumph against Janet Vidhi. Lee Ka Yi
awaits Derby-born Tomlinson in the quarter-final after her win over
Ashita Pranaya Bhengra.
