Hot favourites and top seeds Anahat Singh and Abhay Singh, both from India stormed into the women and men’s finals respectively in the JSW-Willingdon Little Masters and Senior Squash Open. This 4-star tournament is being conducted in association with the Professional Squash Association (PSA) and the Squash Rackets Federation of India (SRFI).
In the women’s semi-finals, Delhi-based 15-year-old Anahat, world rank 123 and the Indian National champion, called the shots against 22-year-old compatriot and fourth seed Rathika Suthanthira Seelan from Chennai and raced to a straight game 11-2, 11-2, and 11-4 win, at the Willingdon Sports Club, Worli, late Tuesday evening.
The 25-year-old Abhay, who had lost to Velavan Senthilkumar in the 79th National Squash Championship last November, faced initial resistance from his countryman and sixth seed Om Semwal before pulling through 11-7, 11-5, and 11-2 to take his appointed place in the summit round.
In the final, the Chennai-based Abhay, is expected to encounter a stiff challenge from compatriot Suraj Kumar Chand from Kalyan, Maharashtra who quashed the aspirations of 21-year-old Australian challenger Remi Young by fighting back to carve out a 8-11, 11-1, 11-5, and 11-5 victory.
In the women’s final showdown, Anahat will take on Japanese second-seeded the 23-year-old Japanese Erisa Sano Herring who quelled the spirited fight from Sri Lanka’s third seed, 18-year-old Chanithma Sinaly posting a well-deserved 5-11, 11-6, 11-8, 6-11, and 11-2 win in the second semi-final.
Results – Women (semi-finals): 1-Anahat Singh (IND) bt 4-Rathika Suthanthira Seelan (IND) 11-2, 11-2, 11-4;
2-Erisa Sano Herring (JPN) bt 3-Chanithma Sinaly (SRI) 5-11, 11-6, 11-8, 6-11, 11-2.
Men (semi-finals): 1-Abhay Singh (IND) bt 6-Om Semwal (IND) 11-7, 11-5, 11-2;
Suraj Kumar Chand (IND) bt Remi Young (AUS) 8-11, 11-1, 11-5, 11-5.