Former champion Janet Vidhi of India overcame a strong challenge from Malaysia’s Vinikasheinie Kulasegaran posting a 3-0 win in a women’s first-round match of the 79th Western India Slam, a USD 9,000 prize-money Professional Squash Association (PSA) Challenger event and played at the CCI courts on Wednesday.
Vidhi found the going tough initially and won the first game over extra points. She then won a close second game before she got into her stride and comfortably won the third game to complete a 12-10, 11-8, and 11-3 win in 21 minutes to advance to the second round.
Tanvi Khanna of India also progressed to the second round defeating Serbia’s Jelena Dutina 11-4, 11-2, and 11-2 in just 14 minutes.
In men’s action, India’s Rahul Baitha defeated Sri Lanka’s Tuwin Nilakshana Herath 11-3, 11-8, and 11-7 in 27 minutes, while another Indian Suraj Kumar Chand scored a hard-fought ein against compatriot Diwakar Singh clinching a 12-10, 11-8, and 11-9 victory in 38 minutes.
Meanwhile, Malaysia’s Tay Jun Qian got the better of Australian James Nicholas winning three straight games at 11-8, 11-9, and 11-5 in 24 minutes.
Results – Women (round 1): Sunita Patel (IND) bt. Mahak Talati (IND) 11-1, 11-2, 11-1;
Pooja Arthi Raghu (IND) bt. Mehak Dinesh Gupta (IND) 11-2, 11-1, 11-1;
Tanvi Khanna (IND) bt. Jelena Dutina (SRB) 11-4, 11-2, 11-2;
Sze Wing Wai (HKG) bt. Vyomika Khandelwal (IND) 11-9, 11-2, 11-2;
Janet Vidhi (IND) bt. Vinikasheinie Kulasegaran (MAS) 12-10, 11-8, 11-3;
Bobo Lam (HKG) bt. Unnati Tripathi (IND) 11-5, 11-4, 11-5.
Men (round 1): Rahul Baitha (IND) bt. Tuwin Nilakshana Herath (SRI) 11-3, 11-8, 11-7;
Lap Man Au (HKG) bt. Yousif Thani (BRN) 11-4, 3-11, 11-7, 11-3;
Suraj Kumar Chand (IND) bt. Diwakar Singh (IND) 12-10, 11-8, 11-9;
Tay Jun Qian (MAS) bt. James Nicholas (AUS) 11-8, 11-9, 11-5.
