Joshna Chinappa's impressive run in Qatar Classic ends, goes down fighting in quarter-final

India’s leading squash player Joshna Chinappa put up another sterling display before going down fighting against fifth seed Omneya Abdel Kawy of Egypt in the quarterfinals of the USD 115,000 Qatar Classic here today. The Egyptian won 11-8, 9-11, 7-11, 12-10, 11-6 in what proved to be a 50-minute gruelling contest. After the first round win over world number one Raneem El Welily, Joshana had raised the expectations. [caption id=“attachment_1488531” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  File picture of Joshna Chinappa. AFP[/caption] Like her earlier matches, the Indian remained at the receiving end most times but made some sensational comebacks to grab two games and drive a scare into her opponent. She was down 5-9 in the first game but after a few moments of nervous tins, Kawy took it. In the second, Joshana trailed 5-9 but with some impeccable returns jumped to 10-7 game ball position to square the match. The third game went neck and neck and at 7-all, the Indian shot ahead with four straight points and the pitch had been queered. Not down yet, the Egyptian made a steady start to the fourth game, led 7-2 and like previous ones was on 9-5 and then went to 10-5, just a point away from taking the game only to see another dramatic fight back by Joshana. Five winners from her racket extended the game but little else as Kawy ensured it was not the Indian’s day. PTI