India proves too good for Brazil, meets South Africa in quarters

Already assured of a place in the last eight, India topped Pool B with eight points after a comfortable 4-0 win over debutant Brazil in its final league match of the Squash World Cup at Express Avenue Mall on Thursday.

Left-hander and National champion Velavan Senthilkumar, rising star Anahat Singh, and India No.1 Abhay Singh breezed through their matches, registering straightforward straight-game victories. The fourth rubber, involving Joshna Chinappa and Bruna Marchesi Petrillo, was awarded to India after the Brazilian failed to reach Chennai due to visa issues.

India will now face South Africa, which delivered one of the most spirited performances of the day against top seed Hong Kong. Although the tie ended 2-2, the spotlight firmly rested on the South Africans.

The tone was set by Damian Groenwald, ranked 97 places below Hong Kong’s Henry Leung at 54, as he produced a brilliant, career-defining performance to claim the opening rubber. Hong Kong drew level through reigning Asian champion Ho Tze-Lok, who overcame Hayley Ward 7-2, 7-4, 6-7, 7-1.

With Hong Kong’s spearhead and reigning Asian champion Lau Tsz Kwan (WR 42) stepping onto court to face Dewald van Niekerk (WR 69), the expectation was for a routine win. But the South African pushed Kwan to win a gripping five-game contest.

However, Hong Kong ensured there weren’t any more upsets as Ka Yi Lee defeated Teagan Russell in straight games, 7-1, 7-2, 7-1, ensuring the top seed finished with a victory despite the shocks along the way.

The results:

Pool-A: Hong Kong drew with South Africa 2-2 (Henry Leung lost to Damian Groenewald 1-7, 5-7, 2-7; Ho Tomato Tsz-Lok bt Hayley Ward 7-2, 7-4, 6-7, 7-1; Tsz Kwan Lau lost to Dewald Van Niekerk 3-7, 7-3, 6-7, 7-3, 6-7; Ka Yi Lee bt Teagan Russel 7-1, 7-2, 7-1).

Pool-B: India bt Brazil 3-0 (Velavan Senthilkumar bt Pedro Mometto 7-5, 7-2, 7-2; Anahat Singh bt :aura Souza Bezerra Da Silva 7-4, 7-0, 7-2; Abhay Singh bt Diego Gobbi 7-3, 7-1, 7-1; Joshna Chinappa w/o Bruna Marchesi Petrillo).

Pool-C: Malaysia bt Australia 3-1 (Mohammad Syafiq Mohd Kamal bt Dylan Molinaro 7-4, 6-7, 7-6, 7-4; Aira Azman bt Jessica Tumbuli 7-2, 7-4, 7-3; Ameeshenraj Chandran lost to Joseph White 5-7, 5-7, 7-3, 4-7; Aifa Azman bt Madison Lyon 7-0, 7-0, 7-0).

ENDS