World Squash Team Championships 2024: India men, women qualify for knockouts

Both Indian men’s and women’s teams made it to the knockout stages of the World Squash Team Championships 2024 in Hong Kong China.

On Tuesday, the Indian women’s team defeated Italy 3-0 with Akanksha Salunkhe, Anahat Singh and Nirupama Dubey winning their respective matches in straight games. As a result, they made it to the pre-quarterfinals.

The pre-quarterfinals will consist of 12 teams, out of which four will be given a bye.

Nirupama Dubey, 206th in the squash rankings, defeated Beatrice Filippi 3-0 (11-4, 11-3, 11-1) in only 15 minutes in the opening match of the tie.

Anahat Singh, world No. 95, backed it up with another 3-0 (11-3, 11-9, 11-3) win against world No. 131 Cristina Tartarone.

Akanksha Salunkhe, India’s highest ranked player in the team at world No. 70, defeated Flavia Miceli 3-0 (11-3, 11-3, 11-1) to cap off a terrific win for the Indian women’s team.

The Indian men’s team lost 2-1 to Colombia earlier in the day. But with Colombia later defeating Ireland, the Indian men finished second in the group and progressed to the pre-quarterfinals.

World No. 54 Abhay Singh lost the opening match 3-1 (4-11, 8-11, 11–5, 4-11) to Miguel Rodriguez, 17th in the men’s rankings.

Veer Chotrani got India back on level terms with a terrific result. Chotrani, ranked 87th, won 3-1 (11-8, 11-9, 12-14, 11-5) against a higher-ranked Juan Camilo Vargas (39th).

Suraj Kumar Chand (159th) faced an uphill task against world No. 78 Ronald Palomino in the final match of the tie and lost in straight games (11-5, 11-6, 11-3). Colombia won 2-1 and later defeated Ireland to top the group.

On Monday, the Indian men defeated Ireland 2-1.

Both the Indian men’s and women’s teams will feature on Wednesday in the pre-quarterfinals of the World Squash Team Championships 2024. The men’s team will face Malaysia while the women’s team take on Australia for a place in the top eight.