Injured Joshna Chinappa beats Habiba to win Squash Circuit title

Joshna Chinappa upset top seed Habiba Mohamed of Egypt 11-8, 11-9, 11-6 to clinch the women’s singles JSW Indian Squash Circuit title at Worli’s National Sports Club of India yesterday

Joshna Chinappa upset top seed Habiba Mohamed of Egypt 11-8, 11-9, 11-6 to clinch the women’s singles JSW Indian Squash Circuit title at Worli’s National Sports Club of India yesterday.

Joshna Chinappa (right) returns to Egypt’s 16-year-old Habiba Mohamed in the JSW squash final at NSCI, Worli yesterday. Pic/Suresh KK

However, it wasn’t an easy ride as the World No 24 had to battle a couple of issues en route her title. Firstly, technical issues resulted in power failure in the first game.

During the second game, Habiba, ranked 19 in the world, accidentally hit Chinappa’s face with her racquet during a follow-through of a huge swing. “She (Habiba) has a reputation of playing aggressively. This final is something I will not forget soon. Her swing is very powerful and on that particular ball she was going full throttle.

“I was right at the beginning of her follow-through. It felt like I was being smacked hard on my face. I am glad no bone is broken,” said Chinappa, who was forced to take a 10-minute medical break. The 28-year-old was trailing 5-9 before she clawed back to win six straight points.

In the third game, 16-year-old Habiba was given a warning for her conduct while trailing 1-2.

Meanwhile, in the men’s singles final, top seed Adrian Waller of England beat third seed Mahesh Mangaonkar 11-9, 11-2, 12-14, 11-6.

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