The top two seeds in the women’s competition, Sachika Ingale of Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra’s Urvashi Joshi smoothly sailed into the final of the 42nd Maharashtra State Open Squash tournament, being organised by Bombay Gymkhana under aegis of SRFI and Maharashtra Squash Rackets Association. The tournament is being powered by JSW, while the associate sponsors for the event include Indospace, K Raheja Group, Shoppers Stop, Ellora Project Consultants Pvt. Ltd., Myntra, Cipla Imunno Booster and Nykaa.
In the semi-finals, the number one seed Sachika with some steady performance managed to beat back the strong resistance from Maharashtra Sachika Balvani before clinching a 11-8, 11-8, 11-5 victory, at the Bombay Gymkhana glass-back courts.
Urwashi also faced an initial struggle, but gradually got into her groove and thereafter asserted her dominance to complete a deserving 11-9, 11-7, 11-4 win, to set up a title clash with Sachika.
Meanwhile, Maharashtra’s Aditya Jagtap, the second seed in the men’s event, continued his march to the final. Jagtap was in complete control as he sidelined Delhi challenger and joint third-fourth seed Gaurav Nandrajog 11-7, 11-4, 11-6 in the first semi-final. Later, 24-year-old Abhishek Pradhan of Maharashtra, who had sent top-seeded Englishman Robert Downer packing in the earlier round, maintained his fine winning momentum to overcome a spirited fight from compatriot Abhishek Agarwal posting a 11-8, 11-7, 11-7 win.
Results – Women’s – (semi-finals): 1-Sachika Ingale beat 3/ 4-Sachika Balvani 11-8, 11-8, 11-5; 2-Urwashi Joshi beat Riya Sisodia 11-9, 11-7, 11-4.
Men’s – (semi-finals): 2-Aditya Jagtap (Mah) beat 3/ 4-Gaurav Nandrajog (Del) 11-7, 11-4, 11-6; Abhishek Pradhan beat Abhishek Agarwal 11-8, 11-7, 11-7