Joshana Chinappa jostles through to semifinals of New York meet

New York: Joshana Chinappa pulled off a sensational win against Egyptian Salma Hany to sneak into the semifinals of the USD 50,000 Carol Weymuller Open squash tournament here.

Joshana, who had to qualify to enter the main draw, won the fierce battle 11-9 8-11 5-11 11-8 11-9 in the quarterfinal played on Saturday.

The World No.20 from India next faces Joell King of New Zealand in the semifinals. Joelle beat Sarah-Jane Perry in straight games.

Joshana had to dig really deep against 31st-ranked Salma, who had earlier sent out the second seeded Laura Massaro of England.

Salma had led 7-4 right in the first game before Joshana woke up to find her lengths and repeatedly getting the Egyptian off the T to win points.

But Salma was not to be pushed down as she came strongly to win the next two games with some accurate shot-making where the Indian came up with a few unforced errors. The intensity reached a crescendo in the fourth game which Salma in her enthusiasm to close up even went for a dive and hurt herself.

Joshana kept up the pressure and forced the issue to the fifth game where again points went neck and neck until at 10-9 match ball, Salma sent a forehand drive out of the court.