Can Suraj Kumar Chand and Anjali Semwal Reach the Semis of Squash Indian Tour 3?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Suraj Kumar Chand and Anjali Semwal reach semifinals at Squash Indian Tour 3.
- Suraj defeated Netherlands' Sebastiaan Hofman decisively.
- Anjali showcased skill in her victory over Rui Jean Yek.
- Indian players faced tough competition overall.
- Exciting matchups await in the semifinals.
Bengaluru, Sep 28 (NationPress) India’s Suraj Kumar Chand and Anjali Semwal displayed remarkable talent at the Squash Indian Tour 3, a prestigious PSA Challenger event, by advancing to the semifinals following impressive quarterfinal wins in Bengaluru on Sunday.
Second seed Suraj demonstrated a powerful performance in the men’s category, decisively defeating fifth seed Sebastiaan Hofman from the Netherlands with scores of 11-2, 11-6, and 11-4 in just 27 minutes. From the beginning, the Indian player maintained complete control, not giving Hofman a chance to gain traction, executing sharp lengths and precise finishes to secure his spot in the final four. Suraj is set to face Egypt’s Omar El Torkay in the semifinal on Monday, a matchup anticipated to challenge his consistency against one of the top players in the draw.
In the women’s draw, fourth seed Anjali Semwal displayed both tenacity and skill, overcoming Malaysia’s Rui Jean Yek with scores of 11-7, 8-11, 11-7, and 11-2 in a 33-minute contest. After being pushed into a four-game struggle, Anjali elevated her game in the third and fourth games, employing accurate drop shots and swift movements to outmaneuver her rival. She will now compete against another Malaysian, Harleein Tan, for a place in the final.
While Suraj and Anjali carried the hopes of Indian fans into the semifinals, the day was not as favorable for other local players. Sixth seed Om Semwal faced third seed Seif Shenawy from Egypt and was outmatched with scores of 5-11, 5-11, and 6-11. In the women's draw, Sanya Vats lost 5-11, 5-11, 3-11 to Harleein Tan, while Nirupama Dubey fought valiantly but ultimately fell 1-11, 11-9, 9-11, 4-11 against Malaysia’s Zoe Foo. Additionally, fifth seed Shameena Riaz exited the tournament after a defeat to top seed Menna Walid of Egypt with scores of 4-11, 5-11, and 6-11.
The varied outcomes for the Indian players highlighted the competitive nature of the tournament, yet the advancements of Suraj and Anjali provide fans with reasons to celebrate. With both set to face higher-ranked competitors in the semifinals, an exciting Monday awaits at the Karnataka State Squash Racquet Association courts.