Joshna joins top three seeds in semi-finals
By Squash Mad Correspondents
As the top three seeds displayed superb control to reach the semi-finals of the Women’s Cleveland Classic, India’s Joshna Chinappa produced the only seedings upset as she hit back in style to beat Annie Au of Hong Kong.
With Au seeded four, one place above Chinappa, it was always going to be a close match.
Top two seeds Nour El Tayeb and Joelle King showed their class with straight-games victories, while No.3 seed Sarah-Jane Perry had to dig deep to see off the formidable challenge of England team-mate Alison Waters.
[5] Joshna Chinappa (IND) bt [4] Annie Au (HKG) 3-11, 11-6, 6-11, 11-8, 11-6 (54m)
A very entertaining match with two different players trying to implement their own pace. A seesaw of lobs and drops from Annie Au, but also hard shots, straight lines and volleys from Joshna as she fought her way back into the match from 2-1 down. Her reward is a semi-final clash against top seed Nour El Tayeb.
[1] Nour El Tayeb (EGY) v Farida Mohamed (EGY) 11-8, 11-8, 11-4 (22m)
The young Farida made too many unforced errors. Even though Nour seemed to not feel 100% after yesterday’s match, she managed to stay calm and minimize her movement to get the victory in three straight games.
[3] Sarah-Jane Perry (ENG) bt [6] Alison Waters (ENG) 11-9, 6-11, 13-11, 11-7 (60m)
Very well contended match. Impressive length from Alison, putting a lot of pressure on Sarah, who used her hold and touch abilities to mix the pace of the game and, ultimately, turn the tables and get the victory in four very close games.
[2] Joelle King (NZL) bt Olivia Blatchford Clyne (USA) 11-4, 11-5, 11-9 (33m)
A very good performance from Joelle, who started very steadily, with error-free squash, keeping the pressure on Olivia. The New Yorker put up a brave fight, but she was not consistent enough.
PSA $51,250 Women’s Cleveland Classic 2020, Cleveland Racquet Club, Cleveland, Ohio, USA.
Quarter-finals:
[1] Nour El Tayeb (EGY) bt [9/16] Farida Mohamed (EGY) 11-8, 11-8, 11-4 (22m)
[5] Joshna Chinappa (IND) bt [4] Annie Au (HKG) 3-11, 11-6, 6-11, 11-8, 11-6 (54m)
[3] Sarah-Jane Perry (ENG) bt [6] Alison Waters (ENG) 11-9, 6-11, 13-11, 11-7 (60m)
[2] Joelle King (NZL) bt [9/16] Olivia Blatchford Clyne (USA) 11-4, 11-5, 11-9 (33m)
Semi-finals:
[1] Nour El Tayeb (EGY) v [5] Joshna Chinappa (IND)
[2] Joelle King (NZL) v [3] Sarah-Jane Perry (ENG)
Pictures courtesy of ANDREA DAWSON