Joshna Joy At home Win In Chennai $10K WSA Open
by Gautam Das for Squash365
May 26, 2012 - Second seed and world number 71, Joshna Chinappa of India claimed her first ever dream title of a WSA event at home when she came from behind in the third game to beat third seeded Sarah Jane Perry 3-1 in the final of the Chennai Open International Squash championship here this afternoon.
For former Indian number one, Joshna, this was her sixth overall WSA title and she is currently making inroads to regain her status in the world circuit where she was 28th in July 2010. Despite having underwent a knee surgery last year, Joshna proved that she is getting in to her mould, especially displaying her prowess in this tournament in all her earlier victories. Today, she won the title with a 9-11, 11-4, 11-8, 12-10 score line over Sarah-Jane.
Joshna started off in a sluggish manner and gave three points through unforced errors and then played few delectable corners for points to level the score 5-5 and 8-8, while third seed Sarah used her height in coming up front to outstretched and score winners. Sarah was equally good in breaking for points but had no answer, though taking the first game 11-8, to Joshna’s measure of comfort in being artistic with controlled pace in the first game.
However, in the second game, Joshna build up a 6-3 advantage and had the felicity to move around the court with ease in keeping Sarah at the base. With sheer grit supported by her game plan of not allowing the rival to get in to rallies, Joshna went for quick finishes to wrap up the game in just about ten minutes at 11-4.
It was a case of keep up to the momentum having won her three matches earlier in straight games and also finding her rhythm despite dropping the first game today, Joshna initially trailed after 4-6 but came up with two superb winners to lead 7-6 and with a ‘stroke’ decision in her favour went on to 8-6. However, Sarah, who has been using her back hand drives to good effect, could collect a point and then made Joshna run from end to end to gain in narrowing the lead. But, Joshna was so focused that she was able to win the game at 11-8 to lead 2-1 in the match.
Playing Sarah for the first time in the circuit, Joshna lapsed in to concentration in trailing 3-6 but showed her class in cashing in on the first chance that she got to gain the initiative. Once, Joshna leveled the score 7-all, she maintained her accuracy. She made it 8-7 and then made in roads to wrap up the game and the match. Since Sarah was not yielding under pressure much, Joshna had to wait for her chances and then won on extra points.
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